On The Road to Sustainable Fashion
Insights from the Spanish pilot of the European project Transitions
The experimental training of the European project Transitions, titled “Piloting Transitions Serie 1.0: A Training Program For Sustainable and Digital Fashion Ecosystem”, marked a pivotal moment in the journey towards a more sustainable and digitally-driven future for fashion. The Transition Lab has been designed by The Institute of Advanced Architecture of Catalonia (IAAC), Elisava School of Design and Engineering, and the Catalan Fashion Cluster (Modacc). It aims to create new synergies between students of Fabricademy and Elisava, its alumni, and professionals to develop new partnerships in Catalunya.
The primary focus of this pilot program taking place in Fab Lab Barcelona was to introduce participants, including both professionals and students, to two units: “Design for Disassembly” and “From Sustainable to Circular Materials.” Over the course of six intensive days, attendees were immersed in a dynamic blend of theory, hands-on practice, and real-world exploration.
Throughout the first unit, participants visited local companies like MUNICH and FITEX, where participants gained insights into the complexity of sustainable fashion practices. They also included thought-provoking discussions and ideation sessions. Following the visits, participants took part in lectures on “Design for Disassembly,” setting the stage for the practical application of newfound knowledge.
The main exercise part of the pilot was the disassembly of a shoe with Jordi Montaner, followed by the challenge of reimagining its design through a sustainable lens. From reconsidering materials to exploring customization options, participants embraced the opportunity to innovate and ideate, laying the groundwork for transformative change within the industry. On the last day of the program, the five groups comprising a total of 25 participants made a final presentation where each group showcased their redesigned shoe, talked about their process, and proposed their sustainable solutions to the presented task.
In the second unit, participants went to Back to Eco, a place putting the focus on circularity of the denim. There, discussions centered around the concept of material circularity, showing the pathways toward the transformation of fabrics into other fabrics. With the newfound insights, participants continued their day with hands-on practice and applying the learning methodology of Fabricademy, besides honing their skills and refining their understanding of sustainable material usage.
The pilot program exemplified the collective commitment towards driving meaningful change within the fashion industry. As we reflect on the success of “Piloting Transitions Serie 1.0”, one thing becomes clear – the journey towards sustainability in fashion is not solitary but collaborative.
Stay tuned for the second pilot, where we will continue to work towards shaping the fashion landscape of tomorrow.