We want to build an eco-system on our wearable.
(special thanks to Korrina for making these amazing sketches)
The fast fashion industry is one of the least sustainable industries in the world. Not only does it consume a lot of energy and resources, but also produces many wastes and environmental and ethical stains. On the other hand, while there are clothes made from eco-friendly materials available, we as the consumers can’t see what the production process is like. In fact, some companies choose to green-wash themselves. Despite their claim that they use environmentally friendly materials, in practice, some materials might be almost impossible to attain. (Context: This is based on my conversation with the CEO of BlackShadesUSA, an environmentally-friendly eyewear brand. I met him on a weekend market in Shanghai, and interviewed him to finish a project for my EAP class in freshman year. He told me that some companies claim to reuse marine plastic, however, because of the exposure to sunlight and sea water erosion, the chemical compound of the plastic might be different.)
By making and wearing this plant-based dress, we want to demonstrate the true idea of environmentally friendliness. We want to experiment with the simplest way of making fabrics from plants, and imagine a future where urban farming can be a part of people’s fashion choices. We would also like to embrace futurism and the fact that our world is technologically driven. So in the end, our goal would be to combine these two aspects to display an Eco-Cyberpunk aura. Let’s show how technology can be used for good or sustainable fashion.