Thursday 24 November

Today we continued the work of the last few days. We initially reflected on the documentaries we saw at home.

The impact of so much waste, which is often difficult to dispose of, has been triggering alarming consequences for the environment for decades. But there is good news: not only is eco-awareness reaching more and more buyers, preferring quality purchases that can last over time, but in fact recycling in its most varied shades has become synonymous with coolness.

Developing new fabrics for fashion collections may put a significant demand on the planet's natural resources, both in terms of initial sourcing and later manufacturing techniques such as dyeing.

As a result, recycling is a viable alternative method of collecting materials without relying on sources that are already overburdened by numerous sectors.

Starting from this concept, I decided to create a sample that was both innovative and futuristic, using a recycled plastic material and the textile structures that joined the pieces.

I found this way of working really inspiring as I believe it would lead you to think about a different way of finding a solution or thinking, which would therefore lead you to new results.

What connections can you make between innovative thinking and waste?

When we talk about upcycling we are referring to the fact that a garment or accessory, which has finished its life as such, can be reconverted into something else without this involving a further manufacturing process of the materials that compose it. It is a process of reuse and conversion that aims to increase the value of that object.

For example, if we use a pair of old jeans to make a skirt, cutting some pieces of fabric and reassembling them in a different way, that is upcycling. Through what is to all intents and purposes an action of reuse, a new product is created by creatively reusing, in whole or in part, an object as it is. The product obtained from this "simple" transformation can be functionally similar, but also very different from what it was originally.

In a broader sense, the term upcycling also includes the reuse of waste, scraps and production clippings: that is, it is a question of reusing the remnants of excess materials obtained in the production processes to create new products.

It is evident that the great advantage of upcycling compared to recycling is its lower environmental impact: converting an object into raw material, a fundamental part of the recycling process, requires a considerable amount of energy and is a process that can only be repeated several times.

It goes without saying that creativity in design plays a crucial role in upcycling practices. Products that already exist, but some people no longer need, offer endless possibilities, if only you have a little vision. Investing in brands that implement upcycling in a structured and systematic way not only decreases the amount of waste that is produced, but significantly slows down the continuous demand for products which, in addition to resulting in the use of resources and the production of emissions, often involves unethical working conditions.

Did this week test both your innovative thinking and making skills, how?

Yes as this assignment, in my opinion, has been among the hardest ever throughout the foundation course. The fact that I know where I want to go and have more ideas to contribute to my work has definitely made me feel much more relieved. I've learned a lot this week about how crucial it is to discuss everyone's work in order to reflect on ideas you would not have considered on your own. Additionally, I am extremely grateful and happy that this helped me establish a new perspective on making because it will help me get ready for my BA.

Reflections

Confirm copying