Zero Waste Bridal Design
2011-2013
Background
This practice-led study investigated alternative design approaches as a potential solution to reduce material waste and extend the use of one of the most iconic and wasteful garments in the fashion industry: the white wedding gown. The bridal gown market is estimated at $61.1 billion in 2022. Gowns are typically only worn for a single day, so the cost of producing (labour and materials) and purchasing (by the bride) is not offset by extended use of the garment. Unconventional design approaches like subtraction cutting, zero waste pattern cutting (ZWPC), or modular design offer possibilities for minimizing waste and extending garment use beyond the wedding day.
Challenges
The iconic white wedding gown is readily identifiable, even outside a wedding context. While style change over time, a review of white wedding gowns in popular culture since 1950 found three common design features: an open neckline, fitted waist, and full skirt. To achieve an "iconic" aesthetic with an unconventional design process, these three features were used as a standard for measuring the success of the final design. Since alternative design processes like subtraction cutting, ZWPC and modular design often produce avant-garde and abstract shapes and silhouettes, achieving an open neckline, fitted waist, and full skirt was a challenge. Fabric was also an important consideration to ensure the design aligned with sustainable practices from fibre to garment, while also contributing to the aesthetic of a garment suitable for a formal event.
Methods
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Results
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Impact
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Learnings
This is your About page. This space is a great opportunity to give a full background on who you are, what you do, and what your site has to offer. Your users are genuinely interested in learning more about you, so don’t be afraid to share personal anecdotes to create a more friendly quality.