Re- Fashion Re- Purpose, desinging with sustainable style (Analysis of Article)

Re – Fashion, Re: Purpose: Designing With Sustainable Style


Personal Author – Hubbell, Leesa

Journal Name – Surface Design Journal, v 34 no 3, (spring 2010) p. 16 – 21

Publication Year – 2010

ISSN – 0197-4483

www.surfacedesign.org



This article is to make awareness of how present designers are adapting to environmental issues by using re-cycled materials.

The author introduces Kathleen Tesnakis, a woman who invented ‘e-ko logic clothing’. E-ko logic clothing is made from 100 per cent re-cycled cashmere sweaters. Since Tesnakis started the clothing line, seven tons of post-consumer knits have passed through her hands resulting in more than 30,000 individually designed pieces. Her core collection consists of felted cashmere hats, topless mittens, re-assembled sweaters, skirts and dresses and it also includes a line of re-cycled cotton knits.

The author also explains the process that Tesnakis goes through to produce her sustainable clothing line. A lot of consideration is taken in to account when using re-cycled materials. E-ko logic has received both a nomination for the rising star of 2001 Fashion Group International award and the ACC award of excellence in 2007.

The author includes a quote from Tesnakis which shows her intensions as a designer. Tesnakis also raises a question that is becoming more important to present designers and it should become a vital question to new designers in the future.

Tesnakis explains…”I consider myself a green textile artist and a recycling designer. I am also a green activist by what I do—but I like to open people's eyes in a gentle way. In Troy I recycle NYC textile waste that travels north 150 miles. With all the green washing that is going on, I feel it is important to find out about the real integrity of the products. You can call your work green or recycled—but where are you getting your materials from?"…..

The author also introduces Kate Goldwater, who finds her raw materials from thrift stores or rummage sales and turns them into ‘AuH20’. Goldwater is known for her creative ‘cut and sew knits’. By hacking up re-joining vintage T-shirts into new compositions, she creates a new form of life. Goldwater is also known for her use of collaborating fashion with politics, by screen printing keywords or images of the causes she cares about on to her garments.

Gary Harvey, former creative director of Levi Strauss (Europe), presented incredible gowns made from vintage denim, nylon baseball jackets, trench coats and Hawaiian shirts as well as military fatigues and plastic laundry bags at the Esthetical Exhibition at London Fashion Week 2007.

A quote from Harvey; …..“I believe we can contribute to a fashion revolution”…..

The author is identifying key events that have taken place within the last few years that are now making a difference within the fashion and textile world. Hubble is trying to make people aware of the changes designers have to make in order to help green living, now and in the future. She is raising the awareness of sustainable designing and how it is becoming the next big thing. I believe the key question that the author hopes to evoke in the readers mind is,

…..“Where has the materials come from that made the clothes you are wearing?”

I imagine that the author‘s intention from raising this question is to make the reader more aware of green living and how important it is becoming in saving the planet in the future.