THE STORY

15th July 2022: The Show

Faith Aimee Choong Jia Yi / 0345509

Behind The Scenes of the Zero Waste Collection 

Here is the story behind the scenes of the Zero Waste Collection, from day 1 up until 15th July.

1ST-3RD WEEK

In the first week, we were asked to research what Zero Waste Fashion means, where is it used, the origin, and what are the techniques and patterns in constructing this piece.

As fashion is leading the 2nd largest waste producer in the world after oil, Zero Waste Fashion was implemented to reduce the amount of fabric waste production in factories and to produce a pattern piece that achieves at least 99-100% efficacy of materials used. 

There are two types of Zero Waste Fashion, one is made out of recycled waste...

...while the other is still using the fabric piece but achieves at least 99% of all materials used.

Zero Waste Fashion originated from ancient times when clothing was mostly wrapped around the bodies of both men and women. Ancient Greek was the first origin however other countries also develop this origin like Japan, Bali and etc.

Najah Onn

In the first few weeks, we had a mentor session with Ms Najah Onn. She talked about how the Earth is facing problems such as pollution, landfill waste, and climate change. Fashion is one of the major contributors to waste. People realize the problems but don't act upon them because these problems are part of our lifestyle and we can't live without them. 

She mentioned the Rana Plaza, in Bangladesh that collapsed in 2013. A total of 1,138 people were killed (mostly women who were garment factory workers). There was a documentary called 'True Cost' that explains the situation and what were the effects after the incident. 

After the incident, many people sympathize and were opinionated about the supply chain in fashion factories. This is why researchers, engineers, and designers are finding ways to solve and learn from the incident. This is how Zero Waste evolved back into our present era. 

As I mentioned earlier the goal of Zero Waste is to reduce as much fabric wastage as possible either by using scraps or utilizing 99-100% of the fabric roll. 

4TH-8TH WEEK

A cliche procedure of how fashion designers work by experimenting and making mood boards and planning the concept/theme for a collection then only working on the design, we work backward. We design our garments using a draping method and then only plan our concept/theme according to the designs we made.

This was difficult especially for me as this was my first time learning to drape. Our lecturer gave us this link https://makeuse.nz/make/ to aid us in finding out how to use the Zero Waste pattern and give us a brief idea of what the Zero Waste pattern looks like. 

The long coat pattern interest me the most as it was simple to follow and it also looked like a kimono pattern as well. For this collection, I decided to do a unisex design for both males and females. While making the first two designs, I really love the broad shoulder figure on the male design and this reminded me of samurai figures.

From then immediately decided that my main inspiration for womenswear was based on kimono whilst male is on Japanese samurai. 

Samurai

Kimono

Our lecture told us to create 10 initial looks using the draping method. I created 5 designs for each sex (front and back), I mix-matched the bottoms and tops. 

Womenswear [Front]

Womenswear [Back]

Menswear [Front]

Menswear [Back]

We had to choose 3 designs among the 10 initial designs to be made into actual garments. Since my two top designs were selected for ShopMayamode, they were already labeled as my chosen garment. My last garment choice was Design #01 for womenswear.

IMAGE OF 3 CHOSEN DESIGNS

We also had this retail store called ShopMayamode and I decided to participate in my designs into becoming ready-to-wear pieces. I entered my two top designs, one for menswear #07 and one for womenswear #03. Before sending our designs to the manufacturer, we need to prepare a technical drawing for each design and a sample of the design.

Technical Drawing #03

Technical Drawing #07

Sample Design #03 [Top]

Sample Design #07 [Top]

Progress of Sample

My sample design #03 was chosen to be in ShopMayamode whilst my design #07 wasn't chosen. There was a catalog shoot to showcase our design. 

We also had to do a designer photoshoot as well as a teaser shoot for The Show, on 15th July 2022. 

We prepared a backdrop for our model's photoshoot so that the background doesn't look plain. Our class agreed on the white drapes with the dark greyish backdrop.

Backdrop for Photoshoot

For the shoot, we had to distribute models evenly as there are limited models. 

Model Board

Ongoing Shoot

My garment for the photoshoot was the top Design #07 along with the bottoms. Since the top was already made as a sample, all I had to do was make the pants. We also had to pair the garment with accessories. For the accessories, I did headgear (for each model) and the models wore the black bracelet.

After the photoshoot week has passed, we continue to make our garments and accessories ready for The Show and our final presentation. I had two womenswear and one menswear. Each of them have a headgear accessory plus a black bracelet. 

Front

Side

Back

During the process of making my garment (almost completed stage), my lecture encourage us to join this competition hosted by KLFW which is based on Future Fashion. I joined the competition just to test and experience what it feels like. I didn't really have high expectations for my design as I was still new to the industry and fashion world.

The event was held at Four Seasons Hotel in KL. There were three preliminary rounds in order to get in as one of the top 10 winning designers. I entered the first round, where my boards were assessed by the judges. We had to prepare our mood board, fabrication board, and design sketches. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get in for the second round. However, I didn't feel too down because I knew what I was up against, and there is still more room for improvement and chances for competitions like this. 

A few weeks later, it was the end of my semester which means presentation day. Before the runway, we had to present our final garments to our lecturers Ms Maria, Mr JR and Riza.

PRESENTATION SLIDES- https://online.fliphtml5.com/tyspq/mwzl/

This week was the week of improvements where we could touch up our garments if needed for the runway. 

Improvements:

•  "Add a flared skirt for the #03 Design so that it is cohesive with the 1st."
• "Cut ribbon off black hats, for a cleaner look."
• "Take off ruffles for skirt, let it flow down."
• "Add black mask to give that mysterious look."
• "Replace belt design for #03 to something like a designed belt."

Soon after that week of improvements, it was runway week, 15th July.

Before the show, we needed to do a fitting on the model, to ensure that the garments fit them properly and if any accessories need to be adjusted or change. 

Design #01

Design #02

Design #03

We had the runway stage set up as well as the ShopMayamode booth.

The Stage

ShopMayamode Booth

Refreshments

Before the runway, there was a rehearsal so that the models and designers know when to come in and off stage. Since I've experience working backstage, I understand the sequence and when to get the models changed into the next garment. 

PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE RUNWAY

I feel so grateful for this first-ever runway experience. I really wish that every semester project we have this runway show-off. It was so scary yet exciting to see people from the industry, governments, and media watching our show. I also would like to thank my lecturers for their guidance and encouragement in pushing us further into the fashion world. This experience feels like my first baby steps into the industry. I hope to further surprise people and push myself further to create more exciting and innovative garments that will shock the audience. I hope my classmates and I to brainstorm more glamorous and sky-rocketing designs in Semester 3. Hope to see y'all soon >w<!!

I would also like to thank my models, from the final presentation and runway, for bringing my collection to life. And also for motivating me and encouraging me. It really helped me and I'm so glad to have met new fellow friends from the industry and Taylor's.