:: Specific Design Brief

DESIGNED TO LAST: A CHALLENGE FOR THE FASHION INDUSTRY

TEXTILES UK

3. GENERIC DESIGN CONTEXT

The fashion industry contributes towards environmental problems in the UK and other countries by its interest in producing fashion for one season.

Reduce environmental impact by producing a textiles product that will stand the test of time.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Did you know that in the UK we throw away an amazing one million tonnes of textiles each year? Much of this ends up in landfill sites, which contribute towards environmental impact.

But what are the alternatives?
The best environmental option for textiles (even above reuse and recycling) is waste minimisation. By that, we mean making LESS THINGS! and therefore cutting down on the environmental impact involved in producing fibres and fabrics, production processes, transport costs, etc.

Other options include challenging the built-in obsolescence from the fashion industry and wearing clothes for longer and therefore ensuring that textiles are manufactured to last.

In addition consideration should be given to how all textiles can be easily and cost-effectively reused or recycled at their end of life.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Know your materials
Some materials and construction techniques give textiles harder wearing properties.
It’s a tricky business making an informed choice and there are no easy solutions. To help you inform choice materials choices for your project visit www.sda-uk.org/materials for information about natural and synthetic fibres their advantages and disadvantages.

Products that are designed to last are often described as durable. Such products use strong materials which can resist use and wear and will be manufactured to a high quality.
Check out the Sustainable Design award website (www.sda-uk.org, go into Sustain-a-balls, Generating ideas, Environmental, durability) for information on durability.

Other websites
www.demi.org.uk 
www.trendstop.com/checkpass.asp or Trendstop Ltd, Amplefuture House, Quadrant Park, 135 Salisbury Road, London, NW6 6RJ UK tel; 0870 333 0707.
www.e4s.org.uk/textilesonline/ -  gives lots of useful information.

SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
• Think of existing textiles products that you and your friends and family have. Which ones stand the test of time? What features do they have?
• Explore design classics, products where the designer has designed the product to last a long time. What features do they have? How much do they cost in comparison to less hard-wearing products?
• The fashion industry builds in product oboscelence for profit. What marketing tactics are used to encourage people to throw clothes away and buy more after one season?
• Some clothes have been designed for multiple purpose use. For example, trousers with zip off legs to make them into shorts. Evaluate whether multiple purpose is a useful design feature to cut down on waste.


CLIENT DETAILS
Identify design companies that have produced products to last. Find out if they are happy to give you feedback on your project ideas. If you need general feedback on your project sustainability [email protected]


INTERESTED? WHAT’S NEXT
Check out some of the suggested websites above and then go on to the Sustainable Design Award website www.sda-uk.org to work through your project. If you need any extra support email: [email protected]

If you decide to work on this design brief, don't forget to consider the issues of sustainability in the different phases of your designing and making.
Click here to access Sustain-a-balls