Circular Fashion
Here is a DIY Project to reuse and recycle waste fabric using the patchwork technique with specially curated natural cotton chambray fabrics. In an effort to make a positive impact on future fashion systems, we organised a sustainable design challenge. Out of many creative designs, we are sharing some of them here as a DIY project here.
This is Yuktha.B.Reddy, a design student from NIFT. She is an enthusiast in reducing waste and carbon footprint and started to upcycle.
She says "I learn new things every day and one of the important lessons is to learn to reduce waste and utilize materials to their maximum capacity."
INSPIRATION: Scattering of light brings in different ideas to designers and one of its phenomena has resulted in her inspiration-the red moon occurrence. The Red Moon occurs when the dust and other particles are clearly visible after the scatter of the atmosphere's blue light.
"This is where science and arts go hand in hand and make a unique collection."
"From looking at our surroundings we learn that daily consumption has led to a lot of destruction of nature around us and we have started to take the measures too late. What we can do now is not wait for others to take the lead and do something but it is for you to take a step, whether it is small or big, to contribute and reduce wasting resources in unnecessary purchases.
The purchasing of new bags and wallets to match that day’s outfit or to have a new look, leads to a lot of consumption of resources and leaves a carbon footprint, water footprint and so on, in the process of making the products.
Srushti Rajadhyaksha is a 3rd-year student, pursuing a degree in Fashion
Design with majors in graphic design from NIFT Gandhinagar.
"My adaptability in various spheres of designing contrast me from others and I possess a wide range of abilities that combine innovative art and design principles. I have a great eye for detail and a great desire for creative perfection. I am always up for learning new things and taking up new challenges which keep my mind engaged and focused", says Srushti.
Mohar
“Sealed in Traditions” The project Mohar is a hand block printing collection inspired by the royal heritage from the pink city of India. It is a story of craft connecting the roots to the present day. The collection reflects the vibrant colours, stunning prints elaborated in modern silhouettes. It aims to bring joy and delight to the life of folks. Overall the collection is a fusion of colourful, chaotic, and surreal aesthetics of the city Jaipur. In this particular design, patchwork is mixed with embellishments and used alongside the borders of the saree and top. An embellished belt comprising of the patchwork is added to enhance the look of the outfit.
This is Deepika R, a fresh graduate of NIFT Chennai (2017-2021) of the Knitwear Design department.
"I am very much interested in sketching and stuff which gave me the motivation to enter the field of designing. During my course at NIFT, I got to know how the fashion industry is affecting the environment, therefore I tried to do my projects and time pass stuff by keeping sustainability in mind. I have also come up with projects using waste fabrics to do appliques, doormats using old dupattas, vertical organisers, bookmarks etc."
"The concept used in the design is sustainability, we can see a lot of small pieces of fabrics when a garment/product is produced while manufacturing. The design strives to give life to those fabrics by developing an upcycled product using this fabric. By sourcing the waste pieces that are sourced from garment construction, We can use this as a commercial product because it can be manufactured easily and the product cost also very less yet resulting in a durable product while saving the environment."
"Initially, research was done online to study and understand the existing styles, applications, target consumers of the product. As the product strives to maintain sustainability disposal of the product also have to be considered. Once the lifetime of a product is done it can be either used for another application like cleaning spectacles, it can be chopped and used as an alternate for lamp thread (as the product is made of cotton) or can be segregated for biodegradable waste.
BookMark - which can be done by the leftovers of the garments while manufacturing. The manufacturing process is also cost-efficient and the product can be used for a long time. This will also act as decor for books. Three fabrics are used in solid colours thus creating geometric patterns."