3. Circular Open Source Fashion¶
INTRODUCTION¶
The fashion industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, contributing approximately 10% of global carbon emissions and producing more than 92 million tons of textile waste annually. Fast fashion and hyper-consumption encourage a linear production system based on the principle of "take-design-dispose," with most garments ending up in landfills or incinerated within a few months of production.
This linear system contradicts Circular Design principles, which focus on reusing, repairing, recycling, and refurbishing materials as part of a sustainable production cycle.
Research¶
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation defines circular fashion as a system that aims to extend the useful life of clothing and design it for remanufacturing, using safe and renewable inputs that contribute to reducing the industry's environmental impact.
According to reports from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the fashion industry is one of the most resource-intensive sectors, using approximately 93 billion cubic meters of water annually. However, only 1% of clothing is recycled into new garments, highlighting a significant gap between sustainable production and consumption.
"credited to viable alternativ energy.
In this context, the waste management pyramid is an important tool for understanding priorities for reducing environmental impact:
Reduce: Designing long-lasting pieces that meet user needs for a longer period.
Reuse: Encouraging the reuse or repurposing of clothing in an innovative way.
Upcycling and Recycle: Converting waste or used fabrics into new materials or products, while reducing reliance on new fibers.
Hence, alternative practices such as upcycling and the use of biomaterials have emerged as effective solutions to reduce waste and reduce reliance on new fibers with high environmental impact.
Several global projects have served as inspiring examples in this direction, such as:
who redefined the concept of haute couture by using recycled textile materials in luxurious, artistic designs.
uses textile waste to create fashion that serves social and humanitarian causes, bridging fashion, sustainability, and social responsibility.
These initiatives demonstrate how design innovation can become an effective tool to address the waste crisis in the fashion industry and build a more conscious and sustainable future.
References & Inspiration¶
Since my childhood, I have loved sakura trees and cherry blossoms, and I always wished that these trees were present in my country or at least in our area.
While researching sustainability and fashion waste, I found a poetic connection between the absence of cherry blossom trees in Jordan and the presence of wild cherry trees that silently grow in certain mountainous regions.
This absence of cherry blossoms—a global symbol of fleeting beauty and seasonal renewal—is contrasted by the presence of the resilient local cherry tree, which thrives in arid climates and difficult soils.
From this, a symbolic idea was born linking local nature and fashion waste:
Just as cherry blossoms bloom briefly and then fall, fast fashion reflects the same superficial cycle of rapid flowering and extinction.
The cherry tree, on the other hand, represents continuity and rootedness, values that align with the concepts of slow fashion and circular design.
From this perspective, I began to view fabric scraps and woven waste as new “local flowers” that can grow from our existing resources rather than importing new materials. The goal is to create beauty and value from discarded materials, just as wild cherry trees thrive.
- Two images side-by-side
Ideation¶
Based on this research, my project focuses on rethinking the design process to reduce waste from the earliest stages.
Project implementation directions:
Modular fashion systems—which can be disassembled and reassembled rather than discarded.
Digital design—using design software and laser cutting to reduce waste during cutting.
For instance, Valentino has incorporated laser-cut techniques in its haute couture collections to create modular, layered designs composed of precisely cut textile components. These digitally produced patterns allow for greater precision, minimal material waste, and reconfigurable compositions — reflecting a modular approach that merges craftsmanship with digital innovation in luxury fashion.
credits to Vogue Runway
Process and workflow¶
First design: CHERRY LOOPS¶
Throughout my life, I've been fascinated by the shoulder shawls my mother carefully knitted, especially those made with a crochet technique where circles form and fall layer upon layer in a visual rhythm resembling the natural growth of shapes in nature.
Those warm memories inspired the idea for this week's first design, combining the delicate symmetry of cherries with the aesthetics of hand-crocheted shawls. This combination resulted in a cape with a unique design that combines nostalgia, craftsmanship, and contemporary creativity.
Dsign Concept¶
For this design, the circular rhythm and layered flow of traditional crochet patterns are reinterpreted through laser-cut units interwoven with precise geometric patterns, replacing hand-threaded stitches with interlocking links. Each unit in the laser-cut pattern mimics the organic repetition found in crochet stitches and cherry clusters, forming a structural fabric that combines the precision of digital technology with the feel of handcraft.
Paper Prototyping¶
The first step was to create a paper prototype, designing the cap's circular shape and then creating the cherry-inspired interlocking system. Next, I tested the design's practicality and the durability and stability of the interlocking system upon installation.
Tools: papers, scissor.
2D design¶
I drew a pattern for cutting the cap using the Rhino software, by drawing several circles, cutting out quarter circles and adding small circles as holes for the interlocking system.
Then I imported cherry photos and starts drawing cherry shape and interlock.
I then arranged the pieces in the best possible way to achieve the least amount of fabric waste, taking into account the large size of the pieces.
Preparing the file for laser cutting¶
The last thing before moving on to cutting, I checked the cutting settings on the Rhino software, such as the line color being red and the line width being hairline.
Laser cutting¶
At this stage, I adjusted the laser machine settings to suit the type of material being used, placed the material on the cutting table and secured it securely to ensure accuracy. I then adjusted the focus of the laser to achieve a clean and precise cut, and finally, I activated the vacume to ensure a safe and smoke-free work environment.
Laser cutter Settings:
Material: Felt - Power: 70 - Speed: 2
Before implementation, I did a test to ensure that the interlocking system was suitable for the felt fabric.
When I started the implementation, I faced a problem due to the large size of the cap pieces, so I had to change the arrangement, but always taking into account maintaining the minimum amount of fabric cutting waste.
Assembly¶
...
Final Product¶
Second design:¶
In Eastern cultures, cherry blossoms, or sakura, represent a fleeting moment of beauty and life. They bloom for a short time but leave an unforgettable visual and emotional impact. This contrast between delicacy and strength, ephemerality and permanence, reflects a refined aesthetic philosophy that inspires designers around the world.
My second design inpired by these flowers, their profound symbolism and captivating beauty.
The beauty of cherry blossoms is not limited to their soft shape and vibrant pink color, but also to the sense of calm and serenity they evoke. Therefore, the inspiration for this design was inspired by them as an expression of a desire to bring this natural beauty into everyday life, through a piece that adds warmth, softness, and a touch of tranquility to the living room.
Let me present "Bloom Interlace table cloth"
Dsign Concept¶
This tablecloth is inspired by cherry blossoms, which symbolize the fleeting beauty, tenderness, and renewal of nature. The design aims to convey this feeling into the living space through a tablecloth that combines visual purity with geometric precision.
The tablecloth is constructed using an interlocking technique of laser-cut modules, each mimicking the shape of a simplified cherry blossom that interlocks with adjacent modules to create a cohesive and balanced fabric. This modular system reflects the harmony between nature and geometric organization, where organic decoration blends with modern technology to produce a functional aesthetic.
2D Design¶
I started this design with drawing thae table cloth itself usinhg RHINO, then I draw the spaces for the flowers interlocks.
Then I imported cherry blossom flowers photos and starts drawing the flowers shape with their interlock.
I tried many suggested shapes of cherry blosom flowers utill I found what I want
after I finished the drawings i did a test to ensure that the interlocking system was suitable with felt fabric.
Laser cutter Settings:
Material: Felt - Power: 70 - Speed: 2
Then I made sure of the sizes of the flowers and the interlocks
Preparing the file for laser cutting¶
Before lazer cutting I made nesting for every piece of the chosen designs to be sure that there will no waste of fabrics after cutting.
The last thing before moving on to cutting, I checked the cutting settings on the Rhino software, such as the line color being red and the line width being hairline.
Laser cutting¶
At this stage, I adjusted the laser machine settings to suit the type of material being used, placed the material on the cutting table and secured it securely to ensure accuracy. I then adjusted the focus of the laser to achieve a clean and precise cut, and finally, I activated the vacume to ensure a safe and smoke-free work environment.
Laser cutter Settings:
Material: Satin - Power: 70 - Speed: 2
Assembly¶
Final Product¶
