FINAL PROJECT: EMPOWERING THE B40 WOMEN

Week 7 (12/10/2022) - Week 14 (30/11/2022)

Faith Aimee Choong Jia Yi / 0345509

Ethical & Sustainable Fashion [DST63904]

Final Project: Empowering the B40 Women Community Through Handsewn Premium Corporate Gifts

LECTURE [05/10]

Today, Ms Maria briefed to us about our final project on the B40 Women. We had a special guest, Yap Sue Yii, who is one of the members of KTJ. She gave us the briefing on the B40 Women. 

B40 means people who are below the economy, where they have insufficient income. Due to the pandemic, people lost their jobs resulting in unemployment and they have fewer profits to feed their families, especially women with children. 

On the briefing day, they provided us materials to use in order to make the product. We also have a special collaboration with MAS (Malaysia Airlines) to produce an upcycling product for travel using their life jackets.

FINAL PROJECT:

We are tasked to collaborate with KTJ (Komuniti Tukang Jahit) to come up with a new corporate utilizing the fabrics and materials that they provided for us. KTJ has also teamed up with MAS (Malaysia Airlines) to utilize their used life jackets to create something new.

PROCESS

On the briefing day, I took a couple of materials provided by KTJ and the MAS life jackets.

MAS Life-Jacket 

MAS Materials 

KTJ Materials 

These materials are meant for separate products. So there will be one product for MAS and one for KTJ. For the KTJ Project, we will also be working closely with the Kak, as they will be the ones producing our products while we are doing the prototype. I was paired with Kak Rohaya and we had an introductory session, introducing ourselves.

I started designing for KTJ, Ms Maria informed us that we were free to design as many products as possible but only one will be chosen to be produced as our prototype. 

Here are some of my sketches for KTJ. My first design is inspired by the Malaysian kite, the Wau. The second design is on the bucket hat but is multi-functional as it can be a handbag. The third design is a multi-functional bottle and stationary carrier. The last design is based on the men's hat worn during the Raya season, which I made for that purpose and as a snack bag.

FEEDBACK

By: Ms Maria

"I really like the Wau idea, but the design will be pretty complicated to manipulate into a bag as the shape will change. As for the other designs, I don't think they are good ideas. Try and think of a theme for example for the Malaysian Kite, Wau and design something from that, but I would advise you to change to another theme. "

For the MAS (Malaysian Airlines) project designs, I did two so far. Previously I designed the cross-body bag but Ms Maria said the product had already been made. So I erased that off and designed an umbrella cover and a neck pillow.

FEEDBACK

By: Ms Maria

"Again, come up with a theme, so that its easier for you to design."

Ms Maria gave us this timeline that shows what we need to do each week for this project. The ones highlighted in yellow, Ms Maria wants it by this week at least. Which is to prepare design ideas for KTJ and MAS.

The following week after Independent Learning Week, we had to create a presentation to showcase our ideas to KTJ so that they can choose our final prototype product. Below is the link to the slides.

PRESENTATION SLIDES

 

FEEDBACK

By: Ms Maria

"Good ideas presented, but it would be much better if you can include the sizes of each product idea so that we can have a clear visual of the product."

KTJ chose my final prototype product to be the 'Tingkat Case'. They recommend making a round purse bag instead of a 'Tingkat Case', like the examples shown below, as it's more sellable.

As for MAS (Malaysia Airlines), they chose the luggage cover as my final prototype product. 

Ms Maria prepared a consultation session with Mr Riza for us to discuss our product pattern. For KTJ, the round purse bag, Mr Riza recommends putting hard-fusible interfacing so that it gives the structure of the bag. The pattern is quite simple as it just needs two circle panels and one middle structure for the zipper. He also told me to put a handle on the bag.

For MAS, the luggage cover is quite straightforward. I just have to measure my luggage at home and draw two rectangular structures with two sides and combine it all together. However, for the top, where the roller handle goes, I have to make space for that to pop out of the cover. Mr Riza also gave me the idea of putting a drawstring at the bottom so that the user can tighten and loosen the luggage cover.

Pattern Divison

We were told to make a video/booklet tutorial that will help to teach Kakak on how to make the products. I decided to make a video tutorial, I recorded every process of me making my two sample products.

VIDEO TUTORIAL:

https://youtu.be/BrcC8Y1T7yo

FINAL PRODUCT OUTCOME:

Round Purse Bag

Close-Up

Product Alone

Product-Testing

Luggage Cover

Product Alone

Drawstring on Luggage Case

After everyone had completed their product, we sent it to KTJ, which included our pattern, fabric and material sample, and product sample.

FINAL PRESENTATION TO KTJ
We had to present our ideas to KTJ, telling them about how our product could be commercial and how it would benefit the consumers.

KAKAK MAKING OF SAMPLE PRODUCT

After sending the video tutorial to Kakak, she watched it and learned from it. Here was the outcome of the round purse bag that she made. She couldn't find the chain therefore she didn't add it in.

Product

Handle

A video of the finished product made by Kak Rohaya.