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In 2014, I was commissioned to create a unique body of work for the North West Community Business Awards, an inspiring event sponsored by Jaguar and held at Aintree Racecourse, the home of the Grand National. The theme centred around sustainability, innovation, and transformation, and I was tasked with turning disused car tyres into wearable business fashion.

The project combined my passion for reclaimed materials, textile art, and conceptual design, bringing together creativity and sustainability in a truly unexpected form.

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A Creative Fusion of Art, Fashion, and Sustainability

As an artist working across the creative spectrum, I’m often drawn to projects that challenge perceptions of material value. For this commission, I used the raw, industrial texture of old car tyres to craft sculptural fashion pieces that reimagined waste as wearable art. The result was a striking blend of resilience and style — a tribute to the entrepreneurial spirit celebrated at the awards.

The concept aligned perfectly with the event’s focus on community business innovation, turning an emblem of mobility and industry into a statement about creative reuse and environmental awareness.

If you’d like to experiment with reclaimed materials yourself, try this Natural Earth acrylic paint from Crafty Arts — a very versatile paint perfect for working with diverse materials.

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About Alison Little: Liverpool-Based Visual Artist and Designer

I’m a Liverpool-based artist working throughout the UK and internationally, known for exploring textiles, recycled materials, and conceptual design. Much of my work centres on sustainability in art, with an emphasis on reclaimed and repurposed materials.

Over the years, I’ve contributed to a wide range of public art commissions, including:

• The Go Superlambanana Trail in Liverpool
• Go Penguin
• The Horse Parade in Cheltenham

In early 2011, I launched Rags Boutique, a six-week arts project that transformed a disused retail unit into a dynamic exhibition and community workshop space. The project explored fashion created entirely from reclaimed materials and was met with great success, highlighting my ongoing commitment to accessible, community-driven art.

Like the idea of recycled clothing but don’t find wearable art very wearable? Check out this sustainable polo from Louche, great for everyday wear.

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Exploring Reclaimed Materials and Textile Techniques

My creative process blends traditional craft practice with modern production methods. Drawing from my degree in 3D Design, where I specialised in plastics, I frequently use heat-sealed technologies to rework discarded plastic bags into new, textured surfaces.

From hand painting and digital print improvisation to hands-on sculptural work, every piece is made to the highest standard, reflecting my dedication to both craftsmanship and concept.

For the North West Community Business Awards, I pushed this further — combining reclaimed tyres, textiles, and mixed media to produce a series of wearable artworks that embodied strength, transformation, and reinvention.

If you’re planning to explore Liverpool’s creative scene, book your stay at YHA Liverpool for easy access to the city’s cultural landmarks.

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Celebrating Creativity and Circular Design

This commission stands out as one of my most memorable projects because it merged fashion, art, and sustainability in an industrial yet elegant way. The Aintree Racecourse setting provided a prestigious backdrop for the collection, showcasing how creativity can transform the discarded into the desirable.

Through this project, I aimed to spark conversations about the future of sustainable design — where innovation and environmental awareness meet artistic expression.

Interested in living more sustainably yourself? Reed offer a range of courses to enhanced your green credentials through work and the home.

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