Caramel Rock x Commonwealth Fashion Council 2022
Caramel Rock and Commonwealth Fashion Council highlight the work of emerging fashion designer looking at new takes on sustainability.
We are proud to present the work of Caramel Rock students
The fashion industry is among the most devastating causes of pollution today. Sustainability is not "The trend of the moment" , rather a real necessity that can only trigger a chain of positive change. With their projects, the students dipped into new ideas and practices.
“I am grateful to realise that my desires do not entitle me to add to another’s suffering.”
- Zoe Weil, co-founder of the Institute for Humane Education
Forewords by Caramel rock Managing Director Faith Johnson
Thanks for being here
And now, over to the designers:
Designer -Oliwia Brzezinska
Bold / Feminine / Chic
Uk summer concept by Oliwia BrzezinskaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Moodboards and research
The designer investigated the notion of buying a whole summer wardrobe in a country where summer is not exactly tropical and does not last long. How can we create that seasonal garment without impacting the environment as much?
Initial resources by Oliwia BrzezinskaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Images of the sources garments.
Second Hand garments chosen for deconstruction. Oliwia visited thrift shops with a colour palette in mind and found the perfect pieces.
Mood boards Oliwia by Oliwia BrzezinskaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Silhouette and Style
Developing the concept, Oliwia deepened her research in the 70's hippie movement. This subculture, notorious for their ecological and anti-capitalist approach to consumerism, inspired the shape of her garment.
Draping and tests
Draping and designing on the stand is a necessary step when designing with limited resources. In order to figure out a realistic garment, Oliwia tested lengths, took measurements and prototyped her garment before moving to the next phase.
Sustainable Thoughts by Oliwia BrzezinskaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Thinking out loud
Considerations on sustainability
Sketches and colours by Oliwia BrzezinskaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final Designs
Illustration plan for summer dress by Oliwia BrzezinskaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Technical Drawing
Flat Final Garment Plan
Olivia Final Garment by Oliwia BrzezinskaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final Design by Oliwia Brzezinska
Casual Reconstructed British Summer Look
"Through this project I want to show that many clothes laying around our houses, charity shops and many other places can be reused and deconstructed to create something that can last for years and be in fashion. This is because something that is in fashion right now, will again be in fashion in a couple of years. Why buy the same piece of clothing over and over again, when a new look is already laying in our wardrobe?"
-Oliwia Brzezinska
Designer Bio - Luciano Rocha
Edgy/Loud/DIY
Sad facts by Luciano RochaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Luciano's initial considerations on pollution and plastics
Reflections on Ecology and Pollution
Starting Point by Luciano RochaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Diving into the wardrobe
Existing garments and their potential. Luciano selected garments from his own wardrobe. He gave himself an almost plain, black canvas to start experimenting.
Sustainable Practice
Video about Designer's sustainable practice in Fashion Design
Inspiration by Luciano RochaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Design Ideas and Inspiration
Casual train encounters, London playful fashion scene and inspiration from famous designers who used similar shapes ad texture. For Luciano "bubbles of fabric" became a concept of interest.
Process & Investigation
The designer shifts form initial ideas to fabric manipulations and experiments on the garment.
Sketches and first toile by Luciano RochaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Initial Sketches and Slogan
Sketches and patchworks are some of the tools this designer uses to test ideas. Here we can see his initial idea for a slogan.
Final Line up Illustrations by Luciano RochaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Illustration Line Up
The designer reworded his long slogan in a punch line. This is more adapt to the type of "immediate action" he wishes to see on the matter of pollution and planet life.
Transformation
From a mass produced T-shirt to a unique Custom Piece
The Final Garment by Luciano RochaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final Garment
Details and Front and Back images of the final garment.
Final garment being worn by Luciano RochaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final Design Being Worn (Again)
The new life of the garment
"I am a PUNK. I have been practicing sustainability for a while now without even realising it, by up-cycling my own wardrobe and customising/reworking some of my clothes to adapt them to my taste and current style. I have also been creating pieces of art to display on walls by using old dining plates that I buy from charity shops and paint and decoupaging them creating unique designs, inspired by pop culture."
-Luciano Rocha
Smaranda Mood board by Smaranda FilipCommonwealth Fashion Council
Designer - Smaranda Filip
Crochet/Plastics/Textiles/Make do and mend , these among the inspirations and core elements at the base of her designer practice.
Repourposing by Smaranda FilipCommonwealth Fashion Council
Crochet techniques
This versatile technique can turn virtually any material in a textile. Smaranda appreciates keeping traditions alive and optimistically reworks any material she can put her hands on.
Repourposing Fabric and objects by Smaranda FilipCommonwealth Fashion Council
Process
Creating the "Alternative Threads".
Smaranda's practice is very textile based and she like to design starting from the material.
Hand Crochet by Smaranda FilipCommonwealth Fashion Council
Braids and Crochet knots
Images of the process of crocheting the designer's "alternative thread".
Plastic Crcohet Fabric by Smaranda FilipCommonwealth Fashion Council
Textiles made of Plastic
Crochet and other fabric manipulation techniques allow designer to tap into a more meaningful practice that really considers all aspects, from sustainability to aesthetics.
Keep an open mind
When creating fashion, the final goal is assumed to be a garment but many things can happen in between. Smaranda experimented by creating pillows filled with her plastic textile. They are suitable for outdoors and waterproof.
Development work
Smaranda's textile and weaving experiments led her to test and sample a variety of household materials: plastic shopping bags, elastic hairbands and more. These fantastic creations found an application her final design.
Fashion crochet sustainable by Smaranda FilipCommonwealth Fashion Council
Initial Experiments on the Stand
Configurations and experiments mixing hand made designer's textiles and fabric from the workshop.
Details of final garment by Smaranda FilipCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final Design - Garment
This piece mixes draping and ideas around braiding and crochet, bringing all of Smaranda's ideas together. The final result is a sultry outfit that could be worn as a summer dress.
Final Garment Detail by Smaranda FilipCommonwealth Fashion Council
Front and Back
Final garment
"My idea is using what I called “alternative threads” or “unconventional threads”, using plastic or textile threads from used clothes or plastic bags to make a crochet hand work that can be then used to produce items for garments or for the household: panels for a folding screen, blinds or even a cushion for outdoors or as car seats. "
-Smaranda Filip
Cycles of textiles by Ianik LopesCommonwealth Fashion Council
Initial timeline on the origins of denim.
Research on Denim History
The Denim Development- cover by Ianik LopesCommonwealth Fashion Council
Designer - Ianik Lopes
Streetwear/Denim/Deconstruction
Denim after the wardrobe by Ianik LopesCommonwealth Fashion Council
What is the lifespan of Denim?
Denim deconstructions contemporary fashion by Ianik LopesCommonwealth Fashion Council
Contemporary uses of denim.
In the last years deconstruction has become an integral practice of many design schools. It is a project thought in pretty much every curriculum. Denim is a perfect candidate thanks to its durability and easy look.
Design Process by Ianik LopesCommonwealth Fashion Council
Deconstructing
Taking apart old garments is at the base of Ianik's process. All of the denim items he collected have interesting details and design features.
Designing on the mannequin by Ianik LopesCommonwealth Fashion Council
Simple touches can add aesthetic value
A contrasting thread, and inside out seam or a pocket in an unusual placement. These apparently small details contribute to make a garment unique. Experimenting positioning on the stand is how Ianik navigates the design process.
Denim Dungarees by Ianik LopesCommonwealth Fashion Council
Final Piece
A long dungaree is the final shape decided by Ianik. The designer patched pieces and leftovers of denim together to create a larger piece of denim that could contain the pattern of his new design.
"Details like contrasting colour overlocked edges make for interesting details in the research of my new recycled design.There is a number of pre-existing things that I must consider in this type of design process."
-Ianik Lopes
Initial research by Angelene Diniz MotaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Designer: Angelene Diniz Mota
Occasion wear / Prom/ Recycle
Sketches and ideas by Angelene Diniz MotaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Ideas and sketches
Angelene is a young designer oriented towards a greener and sustainable attitude towards fashion. She like to fill the gap separating formal and everyday wear. While finding her voice as a designer, she is exploring textiles e reusable resources, hoping to impact her peers.
Materials and concept exploration
Angelene speaks through her project presenting ideas around pre existing garments, deconstruction and re-use.
Development by Angelene MotaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Development of a printed motif and silhouette
Angelene took measurements and made notes on how she intends to proceed in the construction of these unique prom occasion garments.
Angelene - drawings by Angelene MotaCommonwealth Fashion Council
Notes and details on garments
She wishes to work with materials that allow a wide audience to be captured by her designs. Angelene wants to empower women without sacrificing sustainability. Thrift stores and dead stock fabrics are among the main resources used by this designer.
Angelene Diniz Mota presents her project
Video presentation. The designer speaks about her practice.
"A lot of my art is spontaneous, sometimes the final outcome is not exactly how I planned it but I enjoy it more that way. I like to design in a way that allows me to go with the flow ".
-Angelene Diniz Mota
Thanks to all participants and viewers for exploring our exhibition space.
Please get in touch and get involved in our future initiatives.
Caramel Rock & Commonwealth Fashion Council
