Design for change

So guess what? I’m a third year student now. The bachelor year… Just gonna let that sink in for a second. I had kind of hoped that I would get a lot of extra street cred when becoming a third year student, but that’s not really the case. Still cooler than first years though, even though they’re pretty okay.

Anyway, it has really become clear to me how much I (and my fellow students) have improved since we started school two years ago. The bachelor project which we start in about six months still seems pretty scary but not as much as last year. We’re improving with every project! The creative process is getting easier to handle (no more mental breakdowns), sewing and constructing is no longer a problem, and we’re actually getting good at making sharp decisions.

But as everyone knows, with great power comes great responsibility - and we’re feeling the pressure! I have probably never been so busy in my life. But in a couple of weeks, that's gonna change. We’re going to China! More about that later.

So as usual I’m gonna tell you about the project we’re doing at the moment. It’s called “Design for change” and it’s about sustainability. YES!

We joined in groups of three or four in a mix of fashion and textile students - which means that we can make the fabric for the styles ourselves! We have never done that before and it’s fantastic! My group consists of myself, Julie Helles (fashion), and Kristine Boesen (textile). Both very talented and sweet girls! So I’m enjoying myself.

Our project is about giving clothes one or more extra lives so you don’t have to throw it away when you get tired of it. You can change it yourself by coloring it (a pattern will appear!), cutting it or steaming it (a new structure will appear). It’s also about looking at the way we produce, ship, wear, dispose and all aspects of a garment's life and afterlife. That’s both complicated and exiting.

We’ve been looking at certifications, new ways to produce (you can actually grow your own fabric), new ways to colour and at biodegradable materials. We've created a concept where you can satisfy your need for new clothes by changing the ones you have. And when you can no longer use it, return it to the store where the fibres will be reused or decomposed. We’re targeting both men and women living in the city who are down to earth and conscious when they choose food and products. Making menswear is fun! Especially because we’re making a skirt for men. Yes, you heard me. Men's skirts are the new black because we, the designers, say so. (I may be feeling overly confident with this part, I know.)

And now for the crazy part: China. That’s right, this year's study trip is in Shanghai. I’m leaving in a couple of weeks, and we are going to finish the project there so the next post will be from Shanghai. Looking forward to it!  

All the textiles are made by Kristine Boesen and the fashion is by Julie Helles and me. You can find the other girls in the list of students, if you need to contact them.

//Christina.