ITP Camp 2018
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Fashion Pollution Solutions Part 1 of 2 - A Design Charette

It's just terrible. Terrible how much so many of us depend on and desire the availability of vast amounts of inexpensive clothing. I don't think I need to go into the severity of the pollution and waste: "Fashion Is the 8th Most Polluting Industry?" (May 2017) https://ecocult.com/now-know-fashion-5th-polluting-industry-equal-livestock/

"An Update on Microfiber Pollution" Feb 2017) https://www.patagonia.com/blog/2017/02/an-update-on-microfiber-pollution/

"Love Your Clothes" (a resource for consumers) https://www.loveyourclothes.org.uk/

Aside from the ecological, socio-political/financial impact that this business has on our earth, there may be a business opportunity here. What is it? How might it work? What are the critical roles & skillsets such a company/effort might require?

We are in NYC, a fashion mecca, with a population that is generally full of urgency to look amazing, and to see fashion that is amazing.

What to do?... Let's have a chat about it... a charette (this session), and a follow-up session.

!! You must come to both sessions if this is going to have meaning and/or impact !!

We'll form design teams and challenge each other to come up with gold, chestnuts, or at least, a refined set of questions that we can pursue after leaving this session.

Your assignment: - Do some industry research ahead of time. Who is creating clothing for retail with an approach that addresses these pressing issues. - Talk to your friends in the industry (indies, majors, boutiques, vintage-ish/recyclers, etc. - Bring your personal stories and knowledge to the table... make sure you have a point to convey... there are many fashion world horror stories... bring one that has a purpose and a specific point. - Come prepared with some solid ideas, ones that you've perhaps had an opportunity to ask some knowledgable people about, not guesses. - What are the fundamentals of how clothes are designed, produced, shipped to stores and/or consumers? What does the fashion supply chain look like? - Ask yourself... is this an impossible/intractable problem? (ps.. don't be a nay-sayer)

Holy moly this is big... Please bite off a chunk that you can focus on...

We will start a focused discussion group where we can share info, research findings, etc... I think there's a Camp discussion board / google group... I hope :-) Look for this if you want to really be involved and if you want to be a team lead.

Ready, steady, go -->


Comments

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Eric Nadler / Towhee Co. June 11, 2018, 7:22 pm

Hellllooooooo campers... thanks for signing up. I know we\'re all busy, but for this to work well, pls come to the first session with some level of research and/or preparation under your belt. If you\'re a veteran of the garment world in some manner, or can bring perspective from outside of the US, that\'s great. If you\'re a designer of garments, superb.... But in summary... The success of this and the value will be determined by your participation. I\'ve got some special guests coming in for the first session -- people with passion about this subject area. You\'ll be forming teams, so, pls introduce yourself here (background, area of expertise), and tell the group why you chose to participate, and what you hope to get out of it. thanks!! ps... I\'m hoping you all can make both sessions... seems like there\'s more signed up for session 2 on Mon. 6/25... that\'s okay (they can join the discussion)... but you guys are the drivers of this ship.