When thinking about the cradle-to-cradle concept, it requires one to contemplate the term and go beyond the surface when deciphering how to apply the concepts to apparel and interior design. When contemplating the biological and or technical metabolisms, I feel that it makes more sense to apply technical metabolism to our industry. To me, technical metabolism is a more in-depth form of recycling through a closed-loop system. Since the apparel and interior industry combine multiple textiles and fibers together to create a durable and desirable product, it would be hard to produce a product that could be considered completely biodegradable. The technical metabolism system helped to inspire my design concept along with past and this week’s readings and videos.
In a past reading, Cradle to Cradle, McDonough and Braungart discussed the importance of shifting our mental modes from cradle-to-grave towards cradle-to-cradle. Meaning, it is in our power to be able to think of new ideas for old products instead of just throwing them out. We have to take a proactive approach to recreating the apparel and interior products we already posses in order to become more environmentally sustainable. This concept blends well with, Textile Futures, in which, Quinn, applies a concept called resurfacing. This concept basically values finding a new use for a product that would normally be discarded. With a few enhancements to the old product, you can create a completely new product that is beautiful and helps limit your impact on the environment. Transitioning from Quinn’s concept of resurfacing, I found most interesting from reading C2CAD is the importance of combining resources and industry involvement of working together to exchange valuable ideas on how to maintain sustainability. Like I mentioned in my last post, I think it should be an industry standard to help consumers understand the full potential of the garment or product they are purchasing and all the uses and the value of recreating the product over and over again. The combination of the past readings and videos have led me to think of a specific design concept that I think will enhance the concept of cradle-to-cradle by combining the apparel and interior industries.
When thinking about applying the readings and videos to a design concept, I thought about what products I have an excess of. That’s when I looked at my wall by my door and saw the plethora of scarves I have decoratively hung. Technically I only need one for utilitarian purposes but I find that I can not get enough of the flowy and beautifully crafted materials. I then began to think of how to recreate these products into something that could transition them from apparel to interiors and I found inspiration from Anthropologie and thought of layering the long pieces of fabrics and creating curtains. By taking curtains that are already hung in my room, I sewed and glued the scarves to add life to old curtains and therefore changing the entire look of my room. From then I added some unique touches by applying paint I had in my craft box and sewing old buttons that I have collect from garments that provide extras incase one were to fall off. The concept applies all the concepts from technical metabolism to resurfacing to C2CAD and combining apparel and interior products.
Picture: http://casadiseno.files.wordpress.com/2010/07/anthropologie-flamenco-shower-curtain.jpg - Anthropologie Shower Curtain
Kelli, your design concept this week is very creative and innovative. I actually have that same curtain in my bathroom that I use as a shower curtain. Your idea is one that I think many women can relate to because all think we need more than one of everything. I agree with you that the apparel industry leads more towards the technical metabolism side because not many of the materials and fibers we use are biodegradable. Almost all the materials can be broken down and created into a new product. Another idea that I would suggest would be like Becky Earley's design in the Textile Futures by Quinn. You could also reprint the curtains after they were created out of the scares to add more design and create a unique look. You did a great job on your blog, and it was very easy to read and understand.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea! I like that you went with the more technical metabolism side of C2C. I think that you could use your idea for more interior related things like comforters and pillow and maybe even curtain. I think that your idea sparked a lot of new ideas that I believe the apparel industry could use. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteI love your creative side! I also seen on Pinterest how to recycle a towel into a bathmat, I will be trying. I think that there does need someone telling people how to be creative because some just don't have that creative side and with this other use, it will be in it's second lifecycle. With technology advancing, I think that we will be able to seperate mixtures to keep the organic as food for something else, and the technical materials in it's closed loop for reuse. Goldsworthy stated that materials should reach multiple lifecycles, so hopefully technology will allow us to do so after our do-it-yourself projects. Great concept!
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