Research Led Residency: Creative Residency

Participating countries: Asia, Russia, Australia and New Zealand

Organizer: http://asef.org/index.php/projects/themes/culture/4621-mobility-first!–asef-cultural-mobility-initiative-2019

Inquiries: training@learntorecreate.com

Research Led Residency

Duration: 6 weeks, multiple start dates throughout the year

Background

Learn to Re-create the focus of the research is to employ ethical production methods to create eco-fashion products whilst using these products to create a discussion around sustainability and the circular economy that is relevant to creative practitioners and the public.

Issue addressed

The Fashion Industry has a large negative environmental impact though it is slowly starting to embrace solutions to address the issue. Currently, the Fashion Design industry thrives on new talent because of the new ideas, innovation, change and the fresh look that these individuals introduce into the industry. Of the 73 million tonnes of textiles consumed worldwide, only 20% is recycled each year around the world (Fashion Revolution, 2015)1. Every ton of discarded textiles reused will save 20 tonnes of CO2 from entering the atmosphere and every 1000 tonnes of used textiles collected would create seven full time jobs and fifteen indirect jobs (EFF, 2016)2.

However, very few young designers are aware of the negative environmental impact of fashion or when they are, have limited knowledge of how to address or improve this problem. This is primarily due to the lack of training as this is not taught as mainstream fashion but is optional in most fashion training institutions.

For what is a longstanding and quite complex issue, the solutions should be systematic and training organisations within fashion are increasingly supporting the Ethical Fashion Agenda. In addition, for the impact to be far-reaching a greater percentage of stakeholders would need to adopt practises that provide a solution to reduce fashion and textile’s negative environmental impact. For this reason, this project focuses on harnessing fashion and textiles professionals skills and competences to enable them to develop solutions to tackle the problem and creating a space for the public to become involved by creating interesting dialogues using artisanal eco-fashion pieces.

Objective

Create dialogue between creative practitioners and the public
Developing creative practitioners’ knowledge, skills and competences
Networking and growing working relationships amongst professional contacts to facilitate future project collaboration
Raising awareness of ethical and sustainability in Fashion and its contributions to Circular Economy
Harnessing expertise and the creativity of people from diverse ethnic, cultural and social backgrounds using highly interactive approaches for the purpose of innovation

Research Activity Brief

Participants will produce a minimum of two outfits and accessories for outerwear and occasion wear

Season: Autumn/Winter season

Client: professional woman in a management position that subscribes to an ethical lifestyle

Style: modest, dignified, stylish, bright-coloured outfit suitable for an Awards Ceremony or Dinner Party, made from up-cycled garments, post-consumer or pre-consumer waste fabrics

Outputs

The items will be used to create awareness and discussion on Ethical textile production methods and design. A series of talks will take place to showcase the garments and the production process. The initial talk will be an expert talk targeted at creative practitioners to highlight the work and methods employed in the creation of the work to contribute to creative practice. Subsequently, talks will involve creatives and non-creatives i.e. interdisciplinary and the focus will be heightening sustainability issues in Fashion and how the public can contribute in a meaningful way to reduce Fashion’s negative impact. These talks will take place locally.

The money raised from the show will subsidise the costs for a current trainee at Learn to Re-create with fewer opportunities to access 4 weeks fashion enterprise development support to take their career to the next stage.

Important Information

Subsistence and Living Costs financed by participant
Travel (flights) and visa costs covered by funding
All materials and resources for project provided
Residency includes access to equipped textile design studio

 

Eligibility: open to residents from Asia, Russia, Australia and New Zealand

 

For more info;