DESIGN.

Construction is an overlooked aspect when designing. Construction can make or break a design. Sustainability has created a big crater in fashion design that’s just getting bigger. New breakthroughs in material generates a problem in the construction department of design. Expanding our minds to new fabrics, such as Tencel®, can lead to new doors opening to make an impact on the environment and fashion industry. Sustainable aspects pertaining to fashion contain certain techniques, strategies, and alternative processes that are useful in determining a better future for the environment and the fashion industry. With alternative construction techniques, home furnishing, utility fabrics, and even decommissioned fire gear can be repurposed to create distinctive, durable garments. Multiple weight garments are garments that include woven and knit fabrications which isn’t a typical combination in the fashion industry due to the construction difficulty. In order to advance the fashion industry into a sustainable future, one must investigate construction techniques between these materials. This study is to be explored in order to determine the appropriate construction techniques related to unusual fashion materials and the combination of different weighted materials. Decommissioned fire gear is an unutilized material that is being discarded after it has “served its purpose”, but what if that material was given a new purpose. Construction techniques include various seam finishes for heavy weight fabrics and knit fabrications. Construction techniques can be adapted for use in multiple weight garments. Construction techniques for this collection will be accomplished through sustainable design and integrated use of materials.