Dressed to last: No10’s first lady is the glamorous patron eco-fashion has been waiting for

When Carrie Symonds chose an eco-friendly dress by British designer Justine Tabak for her first public engagement, she made an important fashion case.

The Prime Minister’s girlfriend

decided to put Britain and the environment at the forefront of her new agenda, wearing a dress with impeccable sustainability credentials, made in London and featuring a classic floral Liberty print.

Tabak worked for large fashion retailers for decades before deciding she wanted to do things differently and work towards a more conscious approach for the environment.

She also wanted to start to change perceptions away from fast disposable fashion to a more considered desire for timeless, well-made clothes.

Tabak’s business champions “slow fashion” principles, producing small batches to respond to demand and to reduce waste, and designing with timelessness in mind so that no piece is seen as disposable or trend-led.

None of her stock is discarded or destroyed, and any final leftover stock is given to charity, with a focus on years of wear per garment. The move is seen as a sign that Miss Symonds could be the glamorous new patron that eco-fashion desperately needs.

Her influence is already proven – on the day that Boris Johnson arrived at Downing Street as Prime Minister, she wore a £120 dress by the British high street label Ghost, prompting a huge amount of media coverage and causing the dress to sell out within hours. It was a floral midi frock, made from viscose fibre (regenerated wood pulp cellulose, which is biodegradable).

Miss Symonds can now apply the selling-power that she suddenly finds herself with to environmentally conscious clothing. As a senior adviser at the conservation organisation, Oceana, her campaigning for environmental causes is well-known.

First ladies before her have used the platform associated with the role to promote fashion brands that they believe in. Samantha Cameron enjoyed championing young British designers during her husband’s time in office, becoming an ambassador for the British Fashion Council, and helping to boost the businesses of Christopher Kane, Jonathan Saunders and Roksanda Ilincic.

In the US, Michelle Obama’s influence as a fashion icon was estimated to have contributed $2.7 billion to the US retail sector each year.