Fashion's Future Leaders Rethink The System
How are the next generation of makers going to change the world? Central Saint Martins is encouraging their students to think outside the box.
How are the next generation of makers going to change the world? Central Saint Martins is encouraging their students to think outside the box.
During their second year at the prestigious design school of Central Saint Martins in London, fashion design, knitwear, marketing and communication courses work together on a project which embodies an activist mindset.
Working in groups of around 10 students, People, Planet, Purpose requires collaboration - as will be required of them in industry - to produce a fashion collection and promotional campaign.
Taking mobility, accessibility and sustainability into account, the most successful outcomes are those that rethink, and rewrite, the fashion system.
Here, SHOWstudio spotlights some of the moving image and stills outcomes. Click through to experience each project in all its glory.
Amness finds its muse in nature's artistry, delicately balancing raw beauty with refined craftsmanship. Combining the resilience of tradition with strokes of innovation, each creation harmonises with the contours of the body, echoing the patterns of the natural world. Timeless and versatile, the collection’s designs transcend fleeting trends; they offer the wearer adaptability and durability, embracing the essence of eternal style.
The collection prioritises universal comfort and sustainability, catering to diverse body types. Our thoughtful designs are inclusive of those with mobility challenges, particularly wheelchair users. The added padding is meticulously crafted to provide a comfortable and supportive sitting experience, safeguarding the well-being of the spine.
The integration of recycled fabrics, such as repurposed leather, into our garments exemplifies our commitment to minimising environmental impact. In the pursuit of an eco-conscious aesthetic, we utilised natural dyes to craft earth tones, resonating with our dedication to environmental responsibility.
Yeto is a term in Buddhism that translates to ‘earthly realm’ or ‘land of the living’. It describes where we are now on Earth. Yeto is a brand dedicated to elevating the natural. We focus on the feel of our garments and the subsequent effect on its wearer. These looks are designed with attention to seams, material, shape, and more, to create something that is comfortable, stylish, and engaging for all neurotypes. Each look has an accompanying headphone cover and built into the garments are plenty of tabs and textures made for stimming and self-regulation.
MASS
Mass centres on the virtual customisation and manipulation of garments to provide an interactive and informative product experience. The collection, and accompanying promotional campaign, places emphasis on reworking dead stock fabric and materials, and on informing the wearer where these fabrics have come from. This information has been communicated using digital passports, which provide the product’s narrative. Alongside this, the intentional use of green fabric has allowed for green screening to become a visual tool in projecting the journey of the fabric and design process onto the garment itself.
Stemming from motifs of airiness and subtle stimulation, Unspeed focuses on creating a calm and tranquil environment for individuals who are feeling weathered by the fast-paced, frantic lifestyles we all live. Considering physical, auditory, and visual sensation, Unspeed serves as a sanctuary away from restless surroundings. Utilising unusual soft-edged shapes to create a soothing, surreal feeling parallel to the design ethos with the constructions being made for both the purpose of serene comfort and visual character.
Latin for place, change phase, succession and function, Vicis is a story of commitment, heritage and transmutation. Driven by a vision for a more sustainable and inclusive fashion system, the design team employed these three brand principles to create a capsule collection to be won and reworn. Commitment permeates all areas of the brand: commitment to tradition, to materials, and to reducing waste; commitment from the wearer to the garment.
Vicis honours traditional methods of craft, drawing from the design team’s individual backgrounds to inspire a diverse design process. As a starting point we each looked at our own local history and heritage, combining aspects of our own cultures to create something new. The majority of clothing on the market is static and limited in its versatility. Our brand aims to tackle this by creating a collection of pieces which can be worn in a variety of different ways, giving customers several styling options. By giving the consumer the option of multiple looks in one garment, we are tackling the issue of overconsumption. Instead of buying multiple garments from an unsustainable brand, our customers can get dozens of looks from a handful of our pieces.
All the fabric used to create these garments is either recycled or dead stock. In addition, the dyes used are natural, indigo and logwood. Accessibility is incredibly important for our brand and so many of our looks feature simple fastenings (snap fastenings, drawstrings with toggle stoppers, large buttons). Furthermore, the ability to wear our garments in multiple ways allows all types of bodies to wear our clothes, including people with physical disabilities.
In an alternate world, the boundaries between personal and public perception blur, and fashion becomes a powerful tool for change. We commit to creating a new space where fashion transcends mere aesthetics, embracing purpose and meaning.
- BEYOND APPEARANCES: We believe in fashion that transcends appearances, going beyond the surface to capture the essence of the individual. Our designs seek to reflect the diverse stories, struggles, and triumphs of all people, celebrating their unique journeys.
- CHARACTERS OF CHANGE: Our story speak of the issues that matter to us. Each creation tells a story, giving voice to different communities and highlighting the beauty of diversity.
- UNITING NARRATIVES: We challenge the "normal" world narrative and work to unite society through fashion. Our designs highlight the issues we care about and encourage conversations that bridge gaps, fostering understanding and acceptance.
- A WORLD OF INCLUSION: In our alternate world, alienation has no place. We strive to create a space that is welcoming, comforting, and free from fear. The narratives of the past are replaced by narratives of unity, understanding, and acceptance. We firmly believe that singling out any individual due to their differences is not only unjust but also counterproductive. In our inclusive society, no one is seen as a burden; instead, we understand that our differences enrich us and make us stronger.