What do watchstrap maker Thomas Schori in Switzerland, watch designer Greg Verras in Detroit, and scientist-turned-plastic-salvager Dr. Michel Pardos in Thailand have in common? Find out in a recap of our Chief Sustainability Officer Kelly Burton’s presentation at last week’s Sustainability Summit hosted by Fashiondex and LIM College. Salvaging plastic has never been this exciting.
Design for disassembly footwear solutions is gaining momentum; that is, the concept of assembling and disassembling pattern pieces and components. Each product/concept is built to be remade, re-examining how to approach end-of-life creatively and incorporate this into a circular economy.
Fully recycling shoes would be very complex as there are so many pattern pieces, often involving many different materials having been stitched and glued together..
Sustainability is an ever-evolving theme every future-facing organisation is starting to unpack, otherwise known as the “eco awakening” specifically in the materials industry. The most practical thing to consider is stopping excess waste and pollution. Up until now, brand equity was everything; however, this is quickly being replaced by consumer perception and values, relationships and customer experience.
Beyond that, the industry will evolve further. What will be the future role for creators and designers globally? And in what ways will the industry evolve over time? How will materials play a role in a future-facing creation process?