MOTIVATION

The apparel industry has an enormous social, cultural and environmental significance. With growing outputs and dropping prices, it is currently built on a linear model which promotes the disposal of garments. The waste created can be attributed to a growing disconnect between people and their clothes, but it is also symptomatic for inefficient design and production methods.

INTERVENTION

Generations is an exploration of more sustainable ways to create garments. John Bertolaso worked together with menswear designer Bianca Saunders to develop a range of modular garments suitable for transformation. Modularity dissociates the patterns from specific body parts and therefore allows them to be used in any way. So by assembling modular pieces with processes that enable deconstruction and reconstruction, the textiles can live longer and in different forms. The major driving force of this approach is to keep apparel out of waste streams and to reduce our dependency on raw materials.

THE FUTURE

Despite being in its infancy, the project presents many opportunities in the exploration of modules and cuts for specific applications, and using advanced textiles to enhance our interaction with our environments. Today’s signals and trends also suggest serious potential in the investigation of the role of clothing in future realities, ensuring that these balance sustainability with technical novelty will provide ample room for experimentation.

This project is a collaboration between John Bertolaso and Bianca Saunders. More details here.