SDW Students: Almudena Cerezo Araujo
Looking to future generations—and the energy they carry—is always a source of fresh inspiration.
As part of the Sustainable Denim Wardrobe collection with Jeanologia, TENCELTM Denim team worked with university students to support the design development of items for its Softwear Project.
Carved in Blue chatted with some of the winners to get their thoughts on what’s important to today’s textile design students. Almudena Cerezo Araujo’s project was chosen as a reference to develop the collection, and the student shared the promise and struggles of being a young designer.
Carved in Blue: Tell us about your project’s concept.
Almudena: This project talks about hydrocide by humans. It’s a social portrait about hypocrisy. Elements and ornaments seem something beautiful but hide corrosion. It ́s about the suffering of the polluted seas and rivers, about the danger we are submitting to nature. The awareness and code red alert lead us to look for a slower way, in which the quality of the process is more important than the final result.
Carved in Blue: What is most important to today’s textile design students?
Almudena: I think the most important part is to have the chance of feeling satisfied about our education and find our own space working [on] what we like the most.
Carved in Blue: What are some of the biggest struggles for today’s young designers?
Almudena: Either for young designers and for other workers in the fashion system, the most complicated part is getting good labor conditions.
Carved in Blue: What are some of the most interesting sources of inspiration for design students?
Almudena: Different cultures, handcraft techniques, new materials and art.
Carved in Blue: Are students generally optimistic or pessimistic about the future of denim?
Almudena: Denim is a classic in constant changing. It has infinite possibilities; because of this, is a great source of options for designers.
Carved in Blue: Could you see yourself pursuing a job in the denim industry and why?
Almudena: Yes, in fact, I have worked for the denim industry as a designer.
Carved in Blue: What were your thoughts on participating in the Sustainable Denim Wardrobe collaboration?
Almudena: I was glad and motivated to be able to collaborate with these two enterprises with such interesting projects in sustainability.
Carved in Blue: What is your favorite city to visit for inspiration?
Almudena: Oaxaca, Mexico.
Carved in Blue: Straight cut or skinny?
Almudena: Straight cut.
Carved in Blue: What does Carved in Blue mean to you?
Almudena: I was very satisfied to see that the designs I proposed for the collaboration were chosen. This collection is very powerful and committed, and to be able to express these feelings through the designs is very important for me.