Grow Your Own Clothes

These were made from tea! Can you believe it? 

 Check out the YouTube video below to learn all about Suzanne Lee and her new process of making fabric. She discusses during her Ted Talk her discovery, the limitations as well as future possibilities. 

YouTube Description: 

"Designer Suzanne Lee shares her experiments in growing a kombucha-based material that can be used like fabric or vegetable leather to make clothing. The process is fascinating, the results are beautiful (though there's still one minor drawback ...) and the potential is simply stunning."

Behind Factory Doors

When you think about sustainability initiatives what comes to mind? On my recent trip to China I was fortunate enough to visit fashion factories. On my continuous discovery into the socially responsible fashion industry, this specific factory opened my eyes to waste accumulation. The big question is where do these scrapes go? Are they recycled? Do vendors purchase them for resale? Or are they simply finding homes in the nearest landfills? 

Location: Faux Fur Factory - Shenzhen, China 

No this is not a landfill, but it could be. Waste also accumulations in places outside of fashion factories. As we were leaving the Water Town in Shenzhen this was my view. Pretty shocking!

My Time in China

Philadelphia Universities Abroad Trip to China
Hong Kong, Shenzhen & Shanghai 
March 11th - 21st, 2015

Enjoy some pictures from my recent trip abroad! 

Elle Abbey 

Faux Fur Factory - Shenzhen, China

Tommie Fung

Water Town - Shenzhen, China

Water Town - Shenzhen 

Tea Ceremony

Jade Buddha Temple - Shanghai, China

 Yuan Garden Market

Shanghai, China

 View from the US Commercial Services Window 

Hong Kong, China

Water Town - Shenzhen, China

 

 Water Town - Shenzhen, China

 Water Town - Shenzhen, China

 Water Town - Shenzhen, China

 Joyccin Showroom - Shanghai, China

  Joyccin Showroom - Shanghai, China

Jade Buddha Temple - Shanghai, China

Are we there yet?

Technology has been around for a while now, it’s put a stamp on how business is conducted and how we run our lives. My question is, how much does fashion really benefit from technology, when compared to other industries. Is our industry apart of this revolution or are we just getting by?  On September 26^th, 2014 Dezeen Magazine sat down with New York designer and architect Francis Bitonti famously known for his 3D printed dress for Dita Von Teese, to get his opinion on the topic. Unwittingly enough, Bitonti had a lot to say on the subject. When asked about the benefits technology has on fashion, without shame he spoke about how fashion is not keeping up, limiting the amount of benefit. In contrast, Bitonti is excited for the day when our industry grasps more tightly to technology and what the future can hold from that partnership. He also spoke on the connection between our thoughts and fashion saying “I am not seeing an intrusion of technology that is influencing design methodology and thereby having a meaningful impact on the way we think about clothing.” Me being an avid supporter of sustainable fashion, I can agree with this statement. I’d like to also edit his thoughts and make this a three way. Imagine the industry and our possibilities if fashion, technology and sustainability were cohorts. That’s something I’d vote for.    

Another area Bitonti seemed passionate about was today’s interest in wearable technology. His thoughts, “I don't want technologies that integrate with my body, I want clothing and accessories that make my body do things and feel things I have never thought I was capable of.”  I respect his thoughts but I’d like to take this one step further, how can wearable technologies help us and the environment. Could this be answered by creating a life-less shirt, that never needs washing, can change with the seasons and will never been seen in landfills. I’m not sure if that is even possible, but two passionate people are here to question everything.    

Francis Bitonti has a way with words. Answering this 7 question interview has been the highlight read of my week. His thoughts are charismatically entertaining, with true thought and no shame. As I found myself looking for the answer to my question, Bitonti has found a way to make me explore ideas I didn’t know were happening today in fashion. Without figures or statistics I can relate what Bitonti spoke about to a metaphor. Technology is the cake, the fashion industry bought at the grocery store only to eat one single slice. Just like Bitonti, I can’t wait till fashion takes the cake!

Francis Bitonti

 Dita Von Teese

Francis Bitonti 3-D Printed Fashion

Francis Bitonti 3-D Printed Shoe

Check out the videos below, and get to know Francis!

 

Original Article:

 http://www.dezeen.com/2014/09/26/francis-bitonti-interview-fashion-technology-3d-printing/ 

Francis Bitonti's Studio

http://www.francisbitonti.com/

Sustainably Customized

Mass customization has been and will continue to be the new phase for the retail industry. This shopping experience allows customers to customize products to their individual tastes with a few clicks of the mouse. We have seen Nike at the forefront of this venture with their NikeiD online sneaker as they believe “Your Shoes, Your Way”. Recently Nine West Canada launched their own version first as a test called the “Pick Your Pump Collection” to determine if mass customization would be successful with their business structure and current consumers. Nine West customers can select the color and fabric they desire online of a 3.5 inch pump called the Martina. In order for customers to have this shopping experience available to them, the technology is the most crucial part of the operation. Mass customization has many long term benefits but also requires individualistic supply chain methods and capable equipment. Moving from a traditional store to a mass customized operation cannot be decided lightly as costs and risks are inevitable. Once fully implemented the technology must consciously be updated and managed.  Once mass customization is in effect all efforts of forecasting and time-to-market reports are no longer needed. This type of business structure is very attractive because success comes in less time and effort than a traditional retail operation. Although this seems like a simplistic approach the technology must be supportive, and running at peak levels to create a success.

Mass customization is not only attractive for its cost benifits but it is also more environmentally friendly then traditional retail. It’s great for decreasing landfill waste and works to reduce our overall carbon footprint. Think about it, the customers are able to choose how the product is to be made before it’s produced. Once the shoe is created, the order goes to the factory that will then produce and ship it to the customer. Waste accumulates more frequently in a more traditional logistics plan. Goods are designed and created, sent to the retail store in hopes of being sold. This can be considered a push strategy, where consumers are being told what to purchase. When this is not successful waste accumulates. Mass customization works more like a pull system, where the customer has the power to determine when a product is created. I believe that mass customization is the first of its kind where companies respect consumer’s interests by also saving time and energy. If more companies listened to their consumers, and spent time tailoring platforms/software to handle such requests our landfills would be smaller and time could be spent on more sustainable efforts.

Introducing technology more and more is the future of the fashion industry. It will continue to drastically change the way we shop and how we decide to purchase. In the last decade, online shopping has drastically changed the retail industry. Mass customization could be the next great change. As technology evolves it will continue to change our shopping patterns to a point where shopping without technology would seem unheard of.

Original Article: 

http://mypbrand.com/2014/12/03/nine-west-canada-launches-pick-your-pump/

3D Printing + Recycling

3D Printers, Micro-controllers, Advanced Materials and Wearable Technology are the future of the fashion industry. Tara Brown a Forbes contributor wrote an article named “The Future of Fashion: Download File and Print” where she explains some of the current technology, immersing itself with today’s fashion industry. She also touches on some of the mergers happening as more engineers and architects are partnering with designers and using their knowledge to produce wearable technologies. These partnerships will continue to expand across the industry, technology will encapsulate the runway and soon the consumer will be able to take part by purchasing and creating their own gadgets. This is a remarkable advancement and allows the fashion industry to make strides in areas untouched before.

I have one problem with this growth, how do these technologies work to better our planet and our over-consumption lifestyles? These ideas seems to be feeding into the ever growing consumer age where more is better. I’d rather spend my time admiring a sustainable practice instead of watching a tech-couture fashion show. I’d rather own a beautiful garment that was hand embroidered or created from recycled materials and made with love or for a purpose, than something printed from a machine. This is my opinion and although the 3D printing age is upon us, I have found a company who is using this technology in an innovative way with the planet in mind.      

Will.i.am. has partnered with Coco-Cola and 3D Systems to create EKOCYCLE the brand and the EKOCYCLE Cube 3D printer.  Will.i.am. the Chief Creative Officer approached Coco-Cola with his idea for the 3D printer after he was inspired from viewing the aftermath of garbage and lack of recycling after one of his shows. He couldn’t understand why more people didn’t recycle and wanted to find a way to reuse the waste that is accumulated every day. The EKOCYCLE Cube 3D printer uses recycled plastic bottle and cans, to create a filament cartridge that will then be placed in the printer to create new products. EKOCYCLE believes that materials can always have a new beginning. The products printed since its creation last year have been accessories, gadgets/tech gear as well as fashion items such as suits, shirts and hats. Consumers can purchase the waste-less products directly online or take part in the movement by purchasing their own Cube printer from Cubify.  

I have more respect for companies that work towards innovation and who also take part in sustainable activities, especially if those activities clean up the mess consumers create from consuming products. Don’t be afraid to contradict growth and applaud those who take part in innovation through sustainability. This is technology I can believe in.

Below are some awesome videos to get you more familiar with EKOCYCLE. 

Get inspired! Recycling is cool!

Forbes Article:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/tarabrown/2013/03/11/the-future-of-fashion-download-file-and-print/

About EKOCYCLE: 

http://www.coca-colacompany.com/cokestyle/ekocycle-transforming-3d-printing-using-recycled-plastic-bottles#TCCC  

EKOCYLE Shop: 

http://www.ekocycle.com/shop

When Did Nike Become an Upcycled Brand?

Nike, Inc. can be considered an upcycled sport brand. After reading a recent article posted to their site, examining their innovative products progression over the last 40 years, it brought to my attention the current sustainable industry in sports. Within forty years, Nike has progressed in not only their process of how they create their products but with the materials they used. When first thinking about what upcycled fashion is, many people at first would not classify Nike under its repurposed ideals. The first thought that generally comes to my mind when thinking of upcycled goods is businesses having the capability of turning trash into treasures. From what we have seen over Nike's extensive portfolio of products, not only is upcycling a means for everyday people to save money and a way to recycle unwanted goods but, it has impacted the fashion industry extensively today. Companies can no longer create goods without being transparent in their process. “Save the planet”, “Eco-friendly”, “Sustainability” is what captivates the minds of the consumers today. Having understood this, Nike has catered to today’s new customer and the planet by simply using recycled plastic bottles in the construction of their cleats. Being more conscious, eliminating our carbon footprint has changed from a customer gimmick to an overall industry transition. Nike should be applauded for continuing to create innovative products in the sportswear/athletic industry while being leaders in sustainable practices.

Original Article - “Nike Football Illustrated: A Timeline of Game-Changing Innovation”

http://news.nike.com/news/nike-football-illustrated-a-guide-to-game-changing-innovations