Initiated thanks to their cooperation with us, the Faculty of Design included the topic of the circular economy in the curriculum for the fourth semester of their fashion course. The collaboration began with a workshop in which the fashion students explored various issues: What actually are used goods? How can these resources be recycled? How can they be minimized from the outset? Over the course of the summer semester, the students worked out circular strategies and implemented them by hand using the old items we provided. Our various specialist departments provided support with practical know-how and gave exciting insights into the entrepreneurial perspective.

This resulted in a variety of designs, which were presented to us on site in Bodelshausen in July 2023: suits with detachable details, repair kits that serve as design objects, through to elaborate handwork in which old items are transformed into special one-off pieces. More promising approaches are to be further developed in collaboration with the students.

ALL PROJECTS AT A GLANCE

„Kin Archives“

In Nina's family, it is a tradition to keep clothes - whether expensive or cheaply purchased - and pass them on to the next generation. They are stored in an archive in garment bags, with household products in the pockets to protect them from pests, and washed regularly with gentle care products. This not only preserves the physical longevity of the garment, but also increases its sentimental value over time instead of losing it. With her project, Nina wants to revive the appreciation of clothing. Not only did she transform our deadstock into new, long-lasting designs, but she also produced a laundry soap made from natural ingredients. Designed as a giveaway at the point of sale, it is intended to familiarize the customer with the topic of proper garment care, as well as making it easier at the same time.

„Kin Archives“

"Childish Responsibility"

Carlotta's project, called "Childish Responsibility", focuses on the topic of "repair". Her collection is intended to convey (childlike) joy in the topic of sustainability and repair, thereby helping the ideas to become part of a new everyday life. She incorporates the repair aspect not only in the design process, but also in the aesthetics by integrating repair kits into the design of the garments. As she learned how to repair her clothes from her grandparents, she also based her design on their children's clothes at the time. She uses homemade machine knitting and felting techniques to make her pieces.

"Childish Responsibility"

„Less“

As she liked the Marc Cain clothing provided in its original condition so much, Lara-Sophie decided, unlike the other design students, to leave our deadstock untouched. She was looking for another way to restore the value of prototypes, samples and unsold goods: By recombining the discarded items, providing transparent information about minor blemishes and proper care via QR code and reducing their price, she wants to appeal to a young, less affluent target group, to which she herself also belongs. She has an extravagant style, is interested in high-quality materials and wants to consume more sustainably, but does not have the same clothing budget as the classic Marc Cain customer. As a high-quality alternative to second-hand goods, which are currently very much in vogue, Lara-Sophie wants to realize the potential of deadstock.

„Less“

„Snow in the desert“

During the joint workshop and visit to our production facility, fashion student Luna became enthusiastic about knitwear. With the kind support of Heinrich and Thomas from the knitting department, she investigated how old Marc Cain knitwear can be unravelled and transformed back into its original yarn form using a winding machine. She then created a knitted item in which the return to the yarn is already considered in the design process and is made particularly simple by the specially developed knitting patterns. Inspired by the colours of our deadstock, as well as nomadic tribes and lingerie from the 1920s, the fashion student's project blurs the boundaries between lingerie, loungewear, outerwear and evening wear.

„Snow in the desert“

„Functional Elegance“

Nadine's project is based on a timeless, minimalist design inspired by the combination of old and new. To make the styles physically durable, key pieces such as the sleeves or collar are interchangeable. The width of the trousers and skirt can also be individually adjusted. The opportunity to participate in the design should give the customer pleasure. At the same time, the modular concept should ensure that the pieces are worn more often, as they are suitable for various occasions. Nadine works with various different types of buttons that are both functional and eye-catching on each garment. For her Marc Cain design project, she uses old items, second-hand T-shirts, a tablecloth and her own fabrics.

„Functional Elegance“

"Zulal"

Design student Cemre wants to redefine the term "luxury" with her "Zulal" project. Under the motto "Rebel with a cause", it aims to change the perception of luxury and transform more sustainable fashion into an object of desire. Using denim and white knitwear, she creates three completely new looks with haute couture elements by combining traditional Anatolian influences and contemporary fashion.

"Zulal"

„L’atelier terrible“

With the aim of transforming our provided deadstock, Valentin chooses a "disassembly" approach in his project. This means that he separates existing garments and processes them into new pattern pieces using simple, separable seams. He creates these in such a way that they can be put together again and again to form different garments. In this way, he integrates the circular aspect directly into the design process and at the same time makes an aesthetic statement with the coloured seams.

„L’atelier terrible“

The cooperation with Pforzheim College is already the third to deal with new ways of using raw materials in the long term and returning them to the beginning of the cycle. We have previously worked together with Reutlingen College and the young Stuttgart-based company "Wiederbelebt".

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ALL PROJECTS AT A GLANCE