Throughout 2025, we’ve been collaborating with Lenzing to bring the residents of Grimsby a range of workshops and community exhibitions.
Who are Lenzing?
Lenzing is an international company with a production site based right here in Grimsby. One of our aims with this project is to shine a light on the innovative work they do.
Project: Miss Lincolnshire
Miss Lincolnshire; Mary Jennings approached People Make Grimsby to assist her with an outfit to compete for the Miss England title, and of course we were delighted to help out.
“If Marilyn wore a potato sack and still looked glam…”, Mary thought, “Why can’t I?”
So she did just that, designing an Ethical Outfit for the Miss England semi-final that was fully handmade.
The corset she made from user paper potato sack, representing her Lincolnshire values and sustainability. Whilst, she made the skirt from an old flat sheet. For each part she had to craft her own patterns and sewed it piece together.
For the final wow factor, Mary collaborated with us and Lenzing to create a 1950’s-style cape derived from a piece of white fabrics containing TENCEL Lyocell Fibres.
TENCEL Lyocell fibres are derived from the natural raw material wood and are made by Lenzing. This environmentally-friendly fabric was the perfect choice for Mary’s cape for the WeDoEthical round of the competition, fitting in with our Artist in Residence for Lenzing project, as well as our and Mary’s commitment to sustainability.
Mary then worked with us to screen print her message onto the cape, opting for the slogan of SWIFS, the organisation she founded in 2024, supporting women and those from minority backgrounds in the fire service.
