Collection Concept

This project follows the concept of wabi-sabi, a philosophical thought that taught me to find beauty in simplicity, imperfection, and the irreversibility of time. My designs reimagine and repurpose waste through the use of second-hand clothes, to illustrate the passage of time through the worn-down materials due to the processes of use and decay. The project seeks to address the impact of overconsumption on the environment by encouraging consumers to build a relationship with their wardrobe. Emotional attachment and relations to our designs provide an opportunity to dismantle the power structures associated with today’s fashion industry and shift individuals from passive consumers to active participants in the fashion system. To break this cycle of material-based consumption, clothing should be, as April McGrath states, "designed to support conscious choice and personal involvement". Mending is a great way to introduce conscious fashion to consumers as it will allow them to take responsibility for their actions by actively contributing to their vision for a sustainable future. Drawing on Japanese resilient hand sewing techniques boro and sashiko, I reinterpreted broken ceramics through fabric manipulation as a metaphor for self-acceptance, strength, persistence. boro is a mending technique that involves using small pieces of fabric to patch over the damaged areas of the garment. This process reinforces and strengthens the garment, extending its longevity. The sashiko stitch, which is a type of mending technique that comprises of many small, tight stitches, is often used in combination with boro patches to attach the fabric to the main garment and increase its durability. These stitches recognize and appreciate the slow process of natural living by illustrating the beauty in the unique flaws of handmade creations.