I had the opportunity to attend an online launch of the newest fashion exhibition at the Fashion for Good Museum, based in Amsterdam. I was not aware about this museum until I came across with the event, and now it’s on my must-see list. But until we can safely travel again, here is what I’ve found out about the museum and the A Cut from Above Exhibition.
Fashion for Good is not just a museum, it is a global initiative with a hub that works to bring together the entire fashion ecosystem. Through their Innovation Platform, they act as a convenor for change, connecting those working on sustainable innovation with brands, retailers and funders to bring new ideas and technologies from niche to norm. Fashion for Good believes in a circular model, focusing on restoring and regenerating through design.
A Cut Above Exhibition involves a curation of six pioneering brands breaking boundaries and taking fashion to the next level with their creativity. Each brand showcases a different take on conventional fashion, from sourcing – using sustainable materials and zero-waste patterns, to assembly – with 3D weaving techniques, and finally to use – creating infinite styles through modular garments or designing virtual fashion that only exists in the digital space.
Someone from each brand talked about their idea and its impact on the environment while showing us the products. I’ve never heard of these brands before and I think they are worth considering when investing in a new garment or accessory, but also an inspiration for those seeking a new approach to design. Here is a summary about each brand that is part of the exhibition and what to expect from them:
WIRES– genderless glasses from a piece of wire
When his sunglasses broke while travelling, designer Yair Neuman hand-made a new pair from a single piece of wire. This experiment led him to collaborate with some friends and create WIRES, a brand that designs sustainably sourced glasses. They use a piece of stainless steel wire for the frames and 3D printing for the lens rims, a process which produces a minuscule amount of waste in comparison to conventional eyewear manufacturing. Also, the lenses are interchangeable, so a pair can last you a lifetime. The glasses are handcrafted in Italy with 3D printed parts from the UK. The’ve also designed face masks that can be hung from your frames, and not your ears.
FLAVIA LA ROCCA– modular fashion
Italian designer and Green Carpet Fashion Award winner, Flavia creates modular garments by using hidden zippers. She constructs new combinations for a never-ending wardrobe that transcends occasion and season.
THE FABRICANT– digital fashion
An innovator from the Fashion for Good Accelerator Programme, the digital fashion house creates digital couture garments exclusively for virtual environments for fashion shows or digital samples. The only ‘fabric’ they use and waste is electricity.
UNSPUN– custom-built jeans
A unique body scan and 3D weaving technology that can create a perfectly fitting pair of jeans, on demand with no waste or harmful chemicals. You can scan your body from the comfort of your home just by installing their app. To build your jeans, UNSPUN starts with 50,000 data points from the 3D body scan.
SENSCOMMON– uncommon utility
A unisex, minimalist label based in Amsterdam releasing small series of timeless apparel, enhancing everyday living with innovative textiles and materials, such as activated charcoal which has anti-microbial properties. Inspired by everyday living, and in pursuit of the ideal urban lifestyle, senscommon uses common needs as the basis for the creative and design process.
EMROCE– recycled swimwear
EMORCE aims to be a zero-waste swimware brand. The swimsuits are made from ECONYL® (nylon from recycled fishing nets) by using a pattern method which eliminates waste in the cutting process. They don’t follow trends. They cut every style back to its basic necessities. No extra strap or frill to make the garment prettier, just if it makes the garment function better.
All these are great initiatives and these principles, which take the well-being of the planet and its people into account should be at the core of each company. I can’t wait to see how these brands will grow and change the industry.
All these sound like brilliant ideas, and sustainability is definitely very important. Will definitely give the place a visit if I am happen to go to Amsterdam in the future.
Amazing! I am glad to hear this.