My collection is a location based experiment. During quarantine I wanted to challenge myself to create a collection based solely on materials sourced in my own hometown, in rural Michigan. I became enamored by the visual aesthetic and textiles of the late 60’s/early 70’s. These textiles informed the collection I would set out to create, an aesthetic based in easy movement, and traditionally feminine handiwork, but with a hard edge, a utilitarian power. While delving into the dichotomy of American masculinity surrounding the Vietnam War, I took inspiration from second wave feminism, protest, and counterculture embrace of free thinking.


DESIGN FOR ZERO WASTE:
Circular table cloths allow for creating curves without cutting off material. Mens pants are reduced to squares and then reconstructed as they get patchworked together. When built up from the side profile (as opposed to front/back) patterns explore new shapes without adhering to traditional wasteful silhouette lines. I didn't look to production houses for leftover materials as it was important for me not to take part in the production cycle, using raw textiles, with the ethical responsibility falling on someone else. All the textiles sourced have been used by consumers and were damaged, discarded, or had lost their value.


DESIGN FOR LOW IMPACT:
By sourcing 100% of my materials from thrift stores or homes within a radius of 30 miles, the carbon footprint for sourcing this collection is extremely small. Considering many of the textiles are decades old, the production energy per use ratio is very low. There are no new emissions being created from these textiles, and these designs reduce the amount of low value textiles heading into landfills. There is lighter linen that is naturally dyed with tea, to match the color of the older vintage materials. The other textile dyes, red and navy, are naturally done with beetroots and indigo.


DESIGN FOR LONGEVITY:
Multipurpose, genderfree pieces such as a coat that can turn into a backpack, or pieces that can be adjusted for different sizes have value long after when an item may just be stylish. Adjustable closures on sleeves, waists, and ankles, allow for different seasonal and situational wear. Past their aesthetic value, having clothes with variations helps reinforce the idea of owning less/only what you need. This collection is also entirely reinforced/doubled in areas that receive the most wear and tear(knees, elbows, and crotch areas) allowing for utilitarian use even in the most delicate looking pieces.


CONCEPTUAL END OF LIFE:
There will be a specific code on the tag of the garments that can be entered online or sent to the brand office for a % back on the clothing items when returned. The goal for the end of life of my garments is to be collected back, and be remade/quilted into new textiles and garments. They may be textiles that are not able to be turned into new pieces or are damaged that will then be used as fabric layers for reinforcing most often used areas on future garments.


My system could be replicated anywhere around the world. All of the textiles I am using are extremely common, affordable, and accessible, and could be sourced almost anywhere. They are primarily overproduced home textiles like curtains, table cloths, blankets, napkins, or clothes like mens dress pants. The patterns embrace a boxy, fluid shape, and can be adjusted to the different variations in textiles, making it so that they could easily be scaled to a larger level while still using no raw materials in so staying true to my original mission.