WHAT IS YOUR THESIS QUESTION? 

The essential question for my thesis project is: “How can we encourage fashion designers to adopt sustainable practices?” This topic is so broad and rich that there is no “yes/no” answer to the question which I find to be exuberant. This leaves room for imagination as well as motivation to tackle the many issues of this topic.

 

One Line Sentence: ‘Sustain The Label’ is an application that  will encourage fashion designers to adopt sustainable practices. 

 

WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO MAKE? 

I plan to create a resource based application that inspires fashion designers (specifically) to adopt sustainable practices. This application will essentially create an effect in the industry regarding the many issues of waste and harmful effects to the planet. This issue stems from many factors but I feel the designer is the biggest to target when it comes to decision making on i.e fabrics, materials, manufacturers,  packaging, and more.

 

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT TO YOU? 

My interest in sustainability has always been prominent. From my past projects and experiments in this program, I feel like I have been consistent with this topic of sustainability in fashion however, finding the perfect platform to exemplify this topic has been the biggest challenge for me. 

 

My passion stems from helping the earth in many ways that I can. Fashion, being one of the biggest industries in the world which is growing constantly and will never be outdated,  we must find ways to make it less negatively impactful on the world. I believe becoming an introduction to designers would be extremely helpful and beneficial to the world.

 

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS WITH THIS PROJECT?

Again, because  this topic is so broad, my goal is to become that introduction to designers and provide them with sustainable examples, resources, and alternatives regarding fashion.

 

My hopes are to guide fashion designers in the right direction when it comes to fashion sustainability. To educate them what the earth may look like if we continue these terrible practices that are not sustainable.

 

INFLUENCES OR INSPIRATION? 

 

‘Good On You’ https://apps.apple.com/us/app/good-on-you-ethical-fashion/id1044017998

Good On You is “your trusted source of sustainability ratings in fashion. This application gives you the availability to easily check the impact of your favorite fashion brands on the issues you care about.”

Although I love the concept of this application, I feel as if my application should not necessarily be based on ratings of brands or designers but rather than informational resources. This application ‘Good On You’  gives me “consumer” user audience vibes solely based on the layout of the application. 

 

‘30 Wears’ https://apps.apple.com/us/app/30-wears/id1477948234#?platform=iphone

30 wears is a community-driven app encouraging its users to wear garments at least thirty times before replacing.

I love this application because it motivates you to wear a garment multiple times and make use out of it. Although this is not the direction my application is headed in, I believe this would be great to add to a listing of resources on my application.

 

‘Tree Clicks’ https://www.treeclicks.com/

Tree Clicks is a  free chrome-extension that plants trees when you shop at one of the 50,000+ shops.

An example such as Tree Clicks would be something great to add to my application. This would essentially be a “reward” or “motivational”  purpose to encourage users to use my application to essentially provide for the earth in multiple ways.

 

‘Depop’ https://www.depop.com/

Depop is “a marketplace app where the next generation come to discover unique items. With a global community buying, selling and connecting to make fashion more inclusive, diverse and less wasteful. This is what transforming fashion looks like.”

Depop is almost like a thrift shop or consignment store online. Because this is geared or centered towards people around the world, the movement will spread everywhere. Allowing or gearing my application internationally will inspire designers around the world to adopt sustainable practices.

 

‘Rent the Runway’ https://www.renttherunway.com/

Rent the Runway is an online service that provides designer dress and accessory rentals.

 

‘The Good Trade’ Statement: I’m someone who always wants a new look for every occasion. But after the ‘gram has seen it, these pieces I momentarily loved wither away in my closet. Rent the Runway is giving a better life to clothing. The app allows endless rental options to look your best without the guilt of hanging onto pieces you’ll never wear again. From high-end brands to everyday wear, save money, and breathe new life into each piece.

I could not have said this statement better myself. This application is amazing if you only plan on wearing a piece once, which not only saves the environment but also reduces waste.

 

‘Sami Miro Vintage’ https://samimirovintage.com/

“Sami Miro Vintage is a women’s POC small business with a heavy focus on sustainability. Sami Miro Vintage specializes in limited run collections made from only up-cycled and vintage fabrics, minimizing waste.”

Sami Miro Vintage is one of a dozen sustainable fashion brands that’s main focus is implementing sustainability into their everyday collections. This is not only inspirational, but also moviatioinal that we could in fact reuse certain fabrics to create something “new” or “refreshing” with pieces we may already obtain..

 

‘WWD Article’ https://wwd.com/sustainability/business/sustainable-fashion-ethical-clothing-consumer-trust-1234682104/

Basically explains how the pandemic was an extra boost towards sustainable or ethically based practices in fashion.

I am glad that major publications are finally starting to speak up upon these issues. Teaming up with major publications to boost my application would be helpful.

 

‘Dan Pontarlier’ https://www.instagram.com/p/CKrsHKWhp-P/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

A Paris-Based sustainable fashion advocate and upcycling enthusiast. He created a book entitled ‘From Trash to Runway’ that offers insight into how to create stylish new looks from items you already have that might be sitting in the closet. 

 

‘Daisuke @dimda_’ https://www.instagram.com/dimda_/

Influencer and upcoming fashion icon @dimda_ (on Instagram) uses everyday items or upcycling vintage designer pieces making them into his own style. He has made anything from Dior Chopstick Holders to even a luxury coffee cup holder made from a  vintage Louis Vuitton Duffle Bag.

Both Dan and Dimda create such similar creations inspiring an upcycling movement which also can be an element of my project (inspiring or listing ways to upcycle pieces you may already have at home).

 

‘Refinery29 Article ’ https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2020/09/10053076/sustainable-ethical-fashion-activist-women

Link to a few women sustainability activists/environmentalists.

 

‘CFDA Sustainability Fashion Initiatives’ https://cfda.com/resources/sustainability-resources

“This sustainability-centered resource hub is designed to provide open access resources and information specific to fashion design x business sustainable strategies. These resources are intended for everyone- for CFDA Members, educators, students, professionals, designers, and anyone in our community interested in learning more about sustainability and sourcing relevant contacts.

I believe this is an amazing source and inspiration for my project. If I could create something that incorporates such a hub of informational resources that would be amazing. I also love how inclusive they are regarding their target audience. I understand that for this project we are asked to be more specific in regards to our audience, however I again admire their inclusivity. 

‘My Related Projects’ 

 

Project 1: Sustain The Label

Sustain The Label is a web-based design which allows users to become more aware of sustainability in fashion because it is not prominently talked about in the industry. With my project’s intention of a “change in a system”, the goal was not only to “activate my audience to practice something unfamiliar” but also to “activate my audience to make a material change”. With this you could take it quite literal in a sense that I wanted my audience to get a different perspective of the industry and to make more sustainable choices when it comes to the fabrics or materials they chose, etc. I hope to continue building upon this topic because I do believe it is important to discuss.”

 

The purpose of this project is to become an introduction to sustainability in fashion and allowing and inspiring users to make a change.

 

Project 2:  Janky Prototypes – Quarantine Edition (Inspired by dimda_)

For Critical Experience Studio class, we were asked to create 3 Janky prototypes.

I am sure a few of you have heard of the terms “upcylcing”, “reconstructed” or “repurposed”. Influencer and upcoming fashion icon @dimda_ (on Instagram) does just that using everyday items and attaching a luxury logo to his pieces. He has made anywhere from a Dior Chopstick Holders to even a luxury coffee carrier made from a Louis Vuitton Duffle Bag (shown above). Although I will not be cutting up Louis Vuitton bags as cool as that it, I wanted to create  prototypes inspired by @dimda_ using important prominent items used in quarantine during this virus outbreak.

Prototype 1: Mini Purel Belt Bag

Inspired by Jacquemus’ ‘Le Petit Chiquito’ micro Calf leather shoulder strap bag, I decided to create my own made from a mask to carry a mini Purel Hand Sanitizer. For size reference, this bag can fit in the palm of your hand. 

Prototype 2: Mask Saddle Bag

Inspired by Dior’s Mini Saddle Bag, I decided to create a saddle bag make from face masks (inspired by @dimda_).

 

 

HOW DO YOU ENVISION REALIZING THIS PROJECT? 

 

Research, Research, Research! For me, I found myself struggling with locating my target audience and making it extremely specific because there are many directions you can head with this topic.

 

To make this project become a reality, it takes time. Things don’t happen overnight so it takes a lot of discipline and patience.

 

Tools, Materials, Techniques:

-Figma (to design the app)

-Mural or Miro (to map out specifics)

-Photoshop or PicCollage (to create moodboards)

-Pinterest (to find inspiration, aesthetic wise)

-Community/Audience (fashion designers)

-Coding (to build and make the app function)

-Possible P5js ( I would love to implement this)

 

OPTIONAL QUESTIONS 

I believe my areas of strength stem in design rather than the technical aspect of a project. As much as I love coding, I am not as strong in that area which is fine. I feel designing and creating or focusing on aesthetics is my calling.

 

The area I would need to work on again is coding. I would love to explore more of p5js, that was one of my favorite coding applications to design. Figma I also found to be one of my favorites as well, the application is very easy and effective to use.

 

TAGS

#sustainability #application #pollution #environmentalist #movement