"I was once."Reduce waste and do good.
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
We want to show that you can be a trendsetter by doing the right thing and change the mindset of consumers.
We will produce our products in a closed loop recycling process and by that minimize the waist problem that the fashion industry has caused. Others waste will become a brand new piece for someone in need. We partner with textile sorters and homeless shelters to create a bridge between treating yourself and giving back to those in need at the same time and focus on creating awareness.
Geographical Scope
Project Region
Urban or rural issues
Physical or other transformations
EU Programme or fund
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Description of the project
Summary
We want to minimize the waste problem that the fashion industry has caused, by using the unwanted and "sorted out" pieces to create new backpacks for the homeless and in addition to that create real fashion pieces out of this "waste". So we would not need to produce new fabric or material instead we use what others threw away. It´s called upcycling and is an old way of bringing clothes back to life. But we want to use this to create a new mindset in the customers.
By creating an environment that helps getting people off the streets and before that to help them survive on the streets. We want to reduce waste and spread our philosophy by showing the clients that it doesn´t have to look like "that weird old" stuff if you´re using old worn out pieces to create something new. Slowing down and appreciating the creation process of something extraordinary is the reason why we decided to develop collections that build on each other and do not join the hunt for the next season of the fashion industry.
The heart of our philosophy is to create a sustainable working environment. We believe, that the more we are aware of how things are made, the more we value the end product.
We want to draw attention to the manufacturing process and bring back appreciation for this craftsmanship, that is long lost in the process of consumerism in which we live in.
Key objectives for sustainability
Our main goal is to be a role model for a new process where we bring circularity in fashion to another level. We build a bridge between circular fashion, education and the humanitarian aspect of our work, where we want to give back to those in need.
We are inventing a waste reduction process, that goes beyond upcycling. It saves the old destroyed things from being burned and reuse the materials on another level. We will create high-fashion one of a kind pieces from "waste" and close the circle by giving something back to the people who need it most. It is very reliable because every step can be monitored and will be done by hand in Berlin.
So our key objectives are as follows:
to create awareness: we want to show the customers that there is a way where you treat yourself and do good at the same time. We believe, that the more we are aware of how things are made, the more we value the end product.
to reduce waste caused by textile industry: we get materials only from textile sorters or second hand stores to close the loop. We do that so we don´t create more waste, environmental harm or cause unnecessary C02 emissions. We create all our products for the collection from materials supplied by Textilhafen or other textile sorters.
to save clothes from being burned or destroyed: We get our materials from Textilhafen Berlin. They sort things into acceptable and not acceptable. All thats not acceptable would be burned or send somewhere else. This is where we come in. We save those materials that cannot be sold or given to someone and create the backpacks for homeless people, that are designed according to their needs and their feedback.
to give back to people in need: Once one item is sold we give one backpack to Textilhafen so they can gift it to the homeless people.
to give homeless people work: We want to employ homeless people to produce the backpacks so they have a chance to get back on their feet.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
We will need to divide those into two since it has two layers of experiences and also aesthetics.
I was once - Collection pieces: They are one of a kind pieces that are created out of old clothing thats been labeled as waste. Each Product will get a tag that shows the clothing that it´s been once and tell the story. Where it´s from, where and who produced it etc. Aesthetically they are timeless high quality, elegant designer pieces with a twist. They come in editions that build on each other. This aims to educate the customers on the theme that it is possible to have a high quality accessory that is made out of "trash" and still looks perfect. The experience of getting to know more of what this product used to be before will create awareness on how things are made and make the customers feel special since its one of a kind.
Backpack for homeless people: It is developed for the special needs that a person living on the streets has. We interviewed people from the shelter and also talked to some on the streets, to be able to deliver a product that really fits their needs. It is made out of the waste material from Textilhafen and will also be a unique combination of materials. We worked out a combination of materials that is easy to sort at the textile sorters and also efficient for the backpacks since its important to have durable and water resistant fabrics. Thats why we chose leather jackets, raincoats, all kind of water resistant jackets or covered fabrics that are durable and will have a long lifespan. We added secret pocket entries for them to hide stuff and be more save and also created detachable straps, bags and strings. A lot of areas where they can hang in the carabiners and add stuff on the outside to be able to grab it quickly as well as an expandable part for more space. A rain cover is added for easy access when it starts to rain and they are outside. These are only a few ad ons that we created to make them feel more secure or at ease in the streets.
Key objectives for inclusion
The most effective way of changing the waste or the homeless problem is to stop having it. But since this is not doable we need to focus on developing the holistic wellbeing through a basic human rights approach and also focusing on the most effective way of waste reduction.
Equal opportunities: we give everybody the same opportunities to start working with us. We also encourage people with diverse backgrounds and upbringings to join our initiative since we believe that we can only understand and learn from others by communicating and listening to them and their ways of thinking.
Public participation: We encourage everybody to join our initiative for a new mindset of circular fashion. We aim to combine the participation of people gifting their old stuff with getting their new accessoires. It is very easy to implement, since everybody is used to the "sustainable boxes" that Zara and H&M use to "recycle". So we aim to implement these in a further step. So we could offer them: Give me your old jacket and we will create your new accessory.
Co-design: We develop the backpacks with the people that use it in the end. It is not meant to be a fashion piece. It is supposed to make their life better and easier at least a little bit. Thats why we do co-design with them. We have current exchange of ideas and things they need and want. We go to the "Kleiderkammer" and talk to them. And also we are in close contact with the manager of Textilhafen that made this exchange possible.
Accessability/ affordability: Because we believe that it is a basic human right to live without fear and have all the basics for hygiene on the streets, we want to give them the backpacks for free. And on the same side offer people the platform to treat themself and do good at the same time.
It is a very unique approach to combine fashion, sustainability and humanity in one process that is hollistic in its approach.
Physical or other transformations
Innovative character
We developed a project that is divided into three steps and three layers.
- inclusion
- change of mindset through aesthetics and quality of experience
- sustainability and circularity
are the main pillars of this project.
The main pillars are to be seen as seperate circular processes that are combined into on big circular mindset.
1) The production process, which focuses on sustainability and the circular fashion approach.
We take textile waste and use it as our materialpool. The products we sell are produced out of this waste and the backpacks for the homeless are also only made out of textile waste.
This is called the sustainable pillar.
It is intertwined with the next pillar which is the change of mindset pillar.
2) The change of mindset for the customers through a product that captivates due to the quality of experience and creates awareness.
We want to educate the consumers into a more mindful way of looking at the upcycling processes and the use of textiles in general. The lifespan of clothing in general and the benefits we gain from consuming in a more sustainable and mindful way. We also want to make them more aware of how clothes are made and share the appreciation for the workers that do all that. In general change the saying that "sustainable" looks like "handmade and not high quality" into the opposite that it can be something unique and of outstanding quality.
Both of these pillars are intertwined with the last important pillar: the inclusion pillar.
3)To see people as a human being no matter their origin their believe or their sexual orientation is key for our project. We want to help those that are "outside of society" and give them aid in surviving on the streets or work to get them off the streets.
By combining Fashion with creating an environment thats helps people in need we created this extraordinary approach to create a holistic circular model inside the fashion industry and still do good.
