This project was developed through Goldsworthy’s research into new technologies, which offer more sustainable production and finishing processes, and proposes a transformative model for garment manufacture.

This 'Zero Waste & Monomaterial' garment prototype was produced in collaboration with fashion designer David Telfer for VF Corporation’s ‘Futurewear Summit’ (North Carolina). It was produced using a new technology with the potential to solve multiple sustainability issues in the current textile production and disposal model.

This model allows the designer to add surface patterning and composite structure to synthetic textile products on a flat bed system in a single process. The end products are constructed from a monomaterial fibre (100% recycled polyester) making them completely recyclable at ‘end of life’.

It could also help textile manufacturers to reduce their use of materials, water, energy and chemicals whilst permitting shorter production runs, thus reducing cost and risk of wastage. Potential effects including quilting, flocking, gloss coating and transparency can all be created without added chemicals or adhesives. The technique possesses the advantages associated with digitally driven manufacture by allowing customised production, finishing and construction to occur close to market and in small production runs.

Supported by: VF Corporation (USA), Teijin Fibres (Europe), TFRC (UAL) and TWI (Cambridge). With thanks to Miriam Ribul for coordination, styling and photography.

EXHIBITED

2012 Responsible Living; FutureWear Summit, for VF Corporation, North Carolina (Mar 2012)