Design Students Desire Positive Impact Beyond Their Denim Creations
What could the denim industry look like in the coming years? The young masterminds behind Lenzing’s Sustainable Denim Wardrobe (SDW) can offer some insight into how jeans will be designed for the eco-conscious and tech-savvy consumer in the future.
The group of students, who attend Escola d’Art Superior de Disseny de Valencia in Spain recently co-developed this year’s SDW capsule collection under the direction of course leader Tonuca Benlloch, created in collaboration with Jeanologia. Blues & Hues, which recently made its debut at Kingpins Amsterdam, was designed to promote more sustainable consumption among consumers and enforce more collaborative circular economy efforts in the denim sector.
Using sustainable materials, including TENCEL™ Lyocell, TENCEL™ Modal, TENCEL™ Luxe, TENCEL™ x REFIBRA™ Lyocell and LENZING™ Modal Color fibers, the students provided their own interpretations of serendipitous denim fashion for men and women.
Carved in Blue caught up with seven students, including Vicent Benavent, Grisell Carballo, Lorena García Carsi, María Manrique, Leticia Navarro, Carmen Pastoriza Gómez and Tania Tommasi to discuss the SDW collection, design inspiration, why circularity will continue to helm the denim industry moving forward and how they will cater to the future’s tech-savvy and eco-minded consumer at a time of evolving habits, disruption and uncertainty.
Carved in Blue: What do you hope for the future? What are your ambitions in the apparel industry?
Tania: I deeply think that the industry has to change its way of thinking and doing things. Sustainability is the base of the future, it’s no enough for the big companies to incorporate an eco-friendly capsule, it has to change since the beginning.
Grisell: I hope to have my own brand of sustainable clothing and with it also inform more people about this option in fashion.
Leticia: I hope that in the future we have enough technology to carry out 100 percent sustainable processes. I do not expect fast fashion to disappear, but I hope that we develop enough methods and techniques for brands and people to opt for sustainability and be aware of the problems of fast fashion. I am studying fashion design because I would like to be able someday to express myself entirely through fashion and everything I do related to design.
Lorena: I hope to continue with my current work about education and I hope that the new projects surprise me. I want to continue learning. Also, continue working on projects that are involved in sustainability issues and in the future work on a personal project.
María: I hope that the industry becomes aware of the real situation and becomes more respectful. Small efforts make big changes.
Vincent: For the future I hope to be able to create my own brand, live from my passion that is fashion and try to do things a little better than what has been done so far in the industry, offer a new look towards fashion.
Carved in Blue: Why do you like the apparel industry?
Tania: The way I see it, I want to make sustainability a fact and I hope that in some way I could inspire others to join me.
Grisell: I like that always learn something new from a basic need like dressing and with this, we can also transmit our personality or even a message to the world.
Leticia: Actually, I don’t like what fashion has become. People doesn’t appreciate at all that fashion is a way to communicate, to express or just an excuse to create beauty. That’s what I like, fashion is full of possibilities and methods, and with practice and training myself, I can do whatever I propose.
Lorena: Because fashion has always been a part of my life, it is the way to express my creativity and it is a constant challenge, it also allows me to contribute to improve the way things are done in this field.
María: I like to design elements that help people express themselves and feel confident.
I like to create in general and fashion is a wonderful field like many others.
Vincent: I like the fashion industry because it is a way to create 360 degrees and it is a very powerful channel of communication at all levels.
Carmen: I have always felt passion for the world of fashion. Since I was a little girl I have been curious about clothes in general: fashion garments, company image, work clothes, cinema clothes, theater and historical garments.
Carved in Blue: What did you like about working with fabrics using TENCEL™ branded Lyocell fibers?
Tania: I’m learning about sustainability every single day. I honestly didn’t know what to expect with a fabric that helps the environment but form my surprise I really think that are comfortable, soft and have an incredible amount of variety.
Grisell: I liked knowing that now the designers have a sustainable option with the same or even more quality than other fabrics already known.
Leticia: Nowadays, we have to be consequent in what we do. When we create or design clothes, we have to take care of the environment, and using TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers is a very good way to get that because they are a sustainably sourced natural raw material that can be combined with other fibers to get a better biodegradability.
Lorena: The opportunity to express aesthetically concern for a new paradigm of understanding fashion, these also confer incredible qualities when working.
María: I liked working with materials that made me feel 100 percent calm with my work, besides that they are wonderful materials with an infinity of possibilities.
Vincent: What I liked most about working with these fibers has been the quality they offer along with the comfort and that are also respectful with the environment.
Carmen: I liked the opportunity to build clothes with fabrics that respect the environment and know their qualities and possibilities. I also have to admit that until now I did not have my reach those fabrics.
Carved in Blue: Who do you admire most in our industry?
Tania: They are some famous designers that I really admire but right now I honestly have more admiration to that little brands that are changing the way of doing things. Those were the ethical and conditions are prioritize, those were there methods are looking toward a circular economy rather than producing a serious amount of waste.
Grisell: Coco Chanel is for me an example of a human, businesswoman and designer. The industry deserves more designers like her.
Leticia: I greatly admire the visibility that is being made to the world of sustainable fashion. It is very important to take big steps in the industry, and using natural and biodegradable fibers on a large scale means that the industry is becoming more profitable, ethical and respectful.
Lorena: All those who are known or not who believe in their work and risk it.
María: I admire the creatives and the companies that develop sincere and authentic products that last over time for their design, materials, adaptability, etc.
Vincent: For me, Balenciaga is the teacher of sewing masters.
Carmen: I like all kinds of clothing design and many designers. But I confess that I feel admiration for Jean Paul Gaultier and Michael Kors. They create magic in each of the pieces they design.
Carved in Blue: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Tania: For me, “carved” reminds me that is there to stay, like a new way of doing things but also reminds me of the past or a memory. The “blue” for me stands for the environment, the peace with in the two worlds. At the end for me is the past, present and future of nature.
Grisell: A solution thought with the heart and a reality to preserve the necessary planet in all the fashion industries.
Leticia: Carved in Blue is a perspective to see the processes of creating fashion and what is evolving sustainability. It’s very important to make sure that designers are conscientious on what they are using to create them clothes and consider if we, as a part of fashion apparel, are doing the things in a right way.
Lorena: A new concept and a new way of doing things. The future.
María: For me Carved in Blue means the value of an important part of the fashion industry that can make a difference in the way of developing the fashion concept worldwide.
Vincent: A firm and safe position to preserve our future in the fashion industry.
Carmen: Carved in blue means for my innovation, respect for the environment and respect for human rights. It means a change in the look that we will have of fashion and a new way of consuming.