Design Responsibility
Designing for longevity has been identified as the single largest opportunity to reduce the carbon, water and waste footprints of clothing. The Wrap.
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Fundamentally my masters project is founded on the principles of design longevity, encouraging consumers to rethink their relationship with fashion to expand the lifespan of their clothing beyond the transitory dictates of the fast fashion industry.
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In addition, as a designer/maker it was imperative that I examine and improve my own working practices at every stage of the design process. Following the values of ‘Make do and mend’ wherever possible, to treat every scrap of fabric as a precious commodity I implemented the following approaches to my work:
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Print design sampling was carried out exclusively using bridal shop offcuts and my own scrap fabric for the first year of my project.
A mixed medium approach to print sampling utilised both natural and manmade offcuts, cyanotype can only be used on natural fibres, whilst die-sublimation is only suitable for manmade fibres.
Designing garments at 1/6 scale not only utilised the tiniest of offcuts, but allowed me to develop garment silhouettes directly with my print samples, giving them dual purpose.
The creation of evening gowns can generate vast quantities of fabric waste, working at 1/6 scale not only eliminated the majority of this in the initial stages of design but again allowed me to use offcuts to perfect my ideas.
Cutting lay plans were considered to reduce fabric waste.
Digital print for garment layouts were designed to eliminate waste, with blank areas utilised for complementary products such as accessories or textile giftware.
Final garment design maximised available print area of digitally printed fabric to reduce waste.
Continuous reflection on processes to minimise waste.
Considered final fabric choices, investigating single fibre content, properties and impact of manmade versus natural fibres. Investigating impact of textile print choices available.