Since the 20th century, clothing has increasingly been considered as disposable, with garments often designed in one country, manufactured in another, and sold worldwide at an ever-increasing pace. This being the emergence of the ‘fast fashion’ phenomenon.
The time has come to transition to a textile system that delivers better economic, societal, and environmental outcomes based on the principles of a circular economy – to design out negative impacts by truly transforming the way clothes are designed, sold, and used. A circular fashion system enables products of today to become the resources of tomorrow.
Today, less than 1% of clothing is recycled into new clothing. A circular fashion industry is a regenerative system in which garments can circulate with maximum value retained for as long as possible before being able to re-enter the system through reuse or recycling.
This project is about designing a collection that promotes a circular economy. An athleisurewear collection that is truly transparent about the way in which it is designed and made.
Mentored By: Jennifer Barrett – Fashion Mentor
Project Contributors: Andrew Riley – Northeast Rep, Surfers Against Sewage
The Brief:
This project is about showcasing beautiful designs in a thought-provoking and meaningful way. Students were tasked to design a small active-wear collection based on a cause of their choice. Once they chose their cause and understood their fight, they will design a print that will feature on many of your garments. This print will celebrate the achievements of their chosen cause and will also inspire its future.
Their collection will be made entirely from waste and designed to be sent back when it’s worn out and remade again. It will be natural, renewable, recyclable and designed never to enter a landfill. To ensure this, students explored circular textile processes and selected what is appropriate for their collection.
The Process:
As part of the TICE experience, students were encouraged to share some ‘behind the scenes’ footage of them working on their projects. Take a look.
Project Results:
Please view the final results of the students’ work from Jarrow School, John Spence Community High School and Royal Grammar School.
What did the students think of their TICE experience?
Was there anyone or anything that inspired you on this project?
“The Ellen MacArthur foundation inspired me to be more aware when buying new clothes and to not just throw them away when I’m finished with them.” Demi, Jarrow School.
“Doing all my research I was very inspired by all the people who are trying (and succeeding) at changing the fashion sector for the better, in light of the climate change crisis.” Holly, Royal Grammar School, Newcastle.
What do you think you will take away from doing this project?
“This project has resulted in a great improvement in my organisation and creative skills, rekindling my passion for art and drawing, which I will definitely continue in the coming months.” Holly, RGS.
“After doing this project I firstly would use what I’ve learnt to take into daily life and consider carefully where my clothes are coming from and if they’re using natural fabrics. As this project was over a period of time it has helped me to think about time management and will definitely impact any future coursework. Also in the workshops, the fashion drawing was quite useful especially into proportions and being able to use this in art.” Jesdina, RGS.
What do you feel you have personally achieved in completing this project?
“I’ve developed different skills and have grown in confidence in my skills and creating designs that I’m pleased with. I’ve learnt a lot and I’m pleased with the print I’ve designed.” Jesdina, RGS.
Thank you and well done, not only to the students but to the teachers and staff at Jarrow School, John Spence Community High School and Royal Grammar School. A huge thank you to the companies and North Tyneside Learning Trust that have supported the schools and contributed to this project and the TICE team that plugged away at the project week after week.
To the students – we hope you have enjoyed this project, we hope in years to come that you can proudly present an industry written project you did, achieved, quite frankly smashed. Well done and congratulations from everyone here at TICE.