Can we design a way out of a world where 17 million tons of textiles go to waste every year? Armed with scissors, scraps and limitless creativity, these talented young hopefuls are giving it their best shot.
Move over Project Runway – it’s time for a different challenge. It’s called Project Upcycle. And yes, you guessed it, it revolves around upcycling thrifted garments and surplus materials into original runway pieces.
Now in its sixth year, the project invites emerging New England designers to spend three days crafting unique designs for a live runway show judged by industry pros.
It all started with sustainable fashion blogger Jennifer Moore, who wanted to shift the focus from Black Friday and its message of mass overconsumption to something more creative and planet-friendly. Something that could inspire and involve her own community. It’s now grown to become a recurring fixture in the local fashion calendar, planting a seed with the next generation of designers.
We met three participants from the latest edition for their take on changing the world one stitch at a time.
Part 1: Ashley Cushon
“Sustainable fashion is a movement and a mindset that reframes and redefines what sustains an individual. My goal as a designer is to do more than create something beautiful, but to create in a way that inspires others to explore and to think.”
Part 2: Justin Landry
“Sustainable fashion means making the most of every textile available. In a world with overwhelming waste, consumption, and disconnect, sustainable fashion aims to make use of that waste. I’m intrigued by the disconnect between material, creator, and wearer that has arisen through the rise of fast fashion. Sustainable fashion aims to establish that bond through careful creation that reflects the values of the maker and wearer.”
Part 3: Sam Schultz
“I started making clothes in high school and used fashion design as a way to explore and affirm my gender fluidity. I’m self taught. When I was growing up my parents didn’t have a ton of money, but they always made the most of the little resources they had. I think that fostered an inspiration for creative restraint in myself which informs my work.”
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