Imagine the world in which all the things that we consumed gave back to the earth.
The Cradle-to-Cradle design by McDonough & Braungart is evolving quickly in the apparel industry. Biological metabolism is a design that a persons' "waste" cycles through the ecosystem and in return gives back nutrients for other things. On a large scale, this could produce great things.
In the article C2CAD, they implemented this approach in knitwear design and production after testing several samples using different techniques. In Textile Futures it states that designers are now using different practices and using digital technology to reprocess textiles, which will ‘resurface’ with a new purpose. These articles inspired me for this weeks design concept.
Staying with the children’s clothing idea from last week, they could add that the fabric be sustainable. No toxins, no nothing. However, children’s clothing is usually bright and dyed several times with printed graphics etc. so I don’t know if that idea would be very successful, but always worth a try. With the children’s wear idea, clothing would be alterable instead of just wasted. When children cannot fit into the “changeable” clothing than it will be easily dissembled and used to create a new product such as stuffed animals for the children. The fabric would be already pure and safe=toxin free and could use the buttons for different features on the animal. They could also focus on renewable energy in the manufacturing process. Businesses would then be saving recourses, energy and money.
Maggie, I think that your concept to reuse the changeable clothing to make stuffed animals is a great way to keep the cradle-to-cradle cycle going. You could also reuse the fabrics to make diapers for babies that way the materials continue to be used by children. I think this design concept to either be biological or technical metabolism depending on the products used to make the clothing. The C2CAD article points out that communication, knowledge, and resources are key when making a design concept work. I you were to communicate this idea with other designers then they could help you come up with even more possibilities for the children's changeable wear. This is a great idea that could definitely go into greater depth. Good job!
ReplyDeleteMaggie, I love the idea that the children's clothes will be upcycled into something that's still for the children. By incorporating fabrics that are toxin free you are not only being child safe but environmentally safe. I think that is a great use of the C2CAD model, that "apparel designers and manufacturers select chemicals and materials based on their inherent human and environmental health and safety."
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