DON'T SAVE SOMETHING FOR A SPECIAL OCCASION EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE IS A SPECIAL OCCASION- THOMAS S. MONSON
Glittery, sparkly and twinkling sequins can take any piece of material from simple to next level, normally only worn for special occasions, a handful of times due to their alluring nature. Concealed behind these shimmery shiny embellishments is a dark side that unfortunately is not so dazzling on our environment
Trash to Treasure
The fashion and textiles industry is contributing immensely to the War on Waste. “Trash to treasure” explores the process of intercepting discarded waste materials with a purpose to refashion them into a new, interesting and sustainable resource. In effect, creating a renewed cycle of life for this waste.
By exploring such a concept and retrieving common items that are frequently thrown out, I will begin to play a role in the war on waste. Upcycling this once foregone trash into treasure will result in handcrafted, unique and one of kind materials, that emphasises and displays the power of re-using and re-designing.
Ultimately, this will culminate in the transformation of what was once waste, into beads, sequins and embellishments - a steppingstone to achieving a more sustainable, circular model of industry production.
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS 'AWAY'.
WHEN WE THROW ANYTHING AWAY IT MUST GO SOMEWHERE
Annie Leonard
Upon researching the effects of embellishment, the primary focus of materials for this project is waste. Recycled fabric, hand cut sequins, flowers and waste labels form the basis of each play type using different techniques to turn material that was heading to landfill into unique and beautiful pieces.
These play types explore the unlimited boundaries with working with waste to create beautiful embellishments. The concept of upcycling is explored through transforming waste material that is normally thrown out, into beads, sequins and embellishment, a steppingstone to achieving a more sustainable circular model.
With a focus on Design for Cyclability for my final Artefact I chose to use a range of waste materials and combine the most successful play types to create a large final piece. This piece involved creating my own sequins, flowers, labels and intricate embellishments all made from waste. By utilising materials and saving them from their point of disposal I was able to produce a highlight piece that defined turning trash into treasure and promote a sustainable, circular model of industry production.
