Creating a Lookbook Promoting Slow Fashion Displaying Upcycled Clothing

Even as a kid, I have always been fond of the fashion industry. I found it intriguing and something that helped me express myself. I still remember my mother asking me, a 5-year-old, for fashion advice. “Which one should I get?” She asks. Growing up as the youngest of 4 children, I wore second hand clothing from my older siblings. Although I was still young, I wanted to buy my own clothing to style them.

Now that I’m older, I understand the environmental impacts of fast fashion and how our way of life affects the world. This is why I have been supporting slow fashion, a more ethical and sustainable way to fashion. As someone who has an interest in fashion as well as being passionate about making a change in the world, this is something very important and personal to me. When learning about slow fashion, I have tried my best to support it, by thrifting and even having my own thrift store, selling clothes instead of throwing them away, promoting slow fashion. The problem with thrifting however is that some clothing may be outdated or may be too shabby to be sold.

This is why I chose this as my PP, my goal is to upcycle old clothes and feature them in a lookbook with tutorials to promote slow fashion. This means I plan to collect old clothes from family and friends, design them into newer pieces to create two tops, three bottoms, and two accessories. To upcycle is to create a product using old materials into something of greater quality. From old clothing, I aim to improve the items in order to create a clothing line filled with modern trendy clothes.

I chose to do this project to connect my 2 passions, fashion and for the environment. With that, I want to be able to inspire others by creating a lookbook filled with the upcycled pieces alongside the detailed tutorials in order to promote sustainable fashion. I want people to know that it is possible to be fashionable while being sustainable.

Global Context

For this project, I had chosen to focus on the global context of Globalization and sustainability. According to the International Baccalaureate, This global context explores the interconnectedness of human-made systems and communities to the impact of decision- making on humankind and the environment (International Baccalaureate / MYP Global Contexts). Specifically, I will be focusing on the impacts of fast and slow fashion to the environment. This relates to my project since one of my goals is to use and encourage the slow fashion movement through my lookbook. Doing this may be highly challenging as it is hard to encourage others to live a more sustainable life, especially when promoting slow fashion as people find it easier and more affordable to purchase from fast fashion companies.

Putting my project in a more globalized and environmental perspective guides my research to a more meaningful way. I chose to focus my project on the impact of decision- making on humankind and the environment as it is something I’m highly passionate about. I want to inspire people viewing my project to act in a more sustainable fashion and help create a change.

Product

My final output is a lookbook showcasing all the products from the clothing line I had created accompanied by easy-to-follow instructions with photographs and diagrams I have drawn. The lookbook and the clothing line is entitled UPcycle, in order to show how all these items were produced by reusing unwanted old clothing, and creating new items with much greater quality. The lookbook and the clothing line is entitled UPcycle, in order to show how all these items were produced by reusing unwanted old clothing, and creating new items with much greater quality.

The clothing line is composed of 7 upcycled clothing items that were made using old clothing that were donated to me and excess fabric that people would often throw away. Creating the product was proven to be very difficult for me. First I had to figure out the concept of my clothes, this meant I had to do extensive research for inspiration. Once I had ideas in my head, I started designing. With all my designs, I compared the old clothing I had and how I was able to create the idea to life. Out of all 13 designs, I then chose 6 designs, using the skirt design for 2 products. With the materials I had, I was able to start each product. Depending on the product, I had to create the template for it and start the sewing process. Once I was done with all my products, I had arranged for a photoshoot where I asked 3 of my friends to model the products. Using a Canon EOS Rebel T2i 550D camera, I then took photos of them with the products and started designing the lookbook. Whilst designing, I had also written the tutorials on how I created each product. Not only am I extremely proud of the lookbook with the tutorials, I’m also proud of each of the items I have made. The items part of the line are all super trendy and fashionable, items I would definitely want in my closet to wear out.

I wouldn't change anything from my product itself, however, despite making more items than I had originally planned, and the amount of time and effort I had put in, if I were to do it again, I would add more clothing to the line. This is because I had designed much more items and I would definitely like to see more of my ideas turn to life.

See my lookbook below!

Reflection

To be able to create a clothing line and a lookbook, you must be knowledgeable in many areas. Something I’m proud of is the fact that I can and will use this knowledge I have learnt from this project for my future everyday life. I was able to learn the complete process of creating not only a clothing line, but an upcycled one. From researching, collecting old clothes,

designing, figuring out how to create the design with the limited materials, creating different templates, and then creating the upcycled clothes. Previously, I did not have much prior knowledge in creating clothing, especially in upcycling. Thus my skills have definitely gotten better, and my knowledge on this has most definitely deepened through my experience and struggles I had encountered. Additionally, my understanding on the topic of fast and slow fashion has expanded. Beforehand, I had a bit of an understanding on the topic, however, just as a lot of the people from my survey about the topic, I did not understand what it really meant as well as how important it really is. Previously, I had thought it was just a more ethical way to fashion. However, through this project, I realise that it unites the ethical and sustainable factor in the production of clothing. I realise too how important it is to make a change. This perspective of mine has changed throughout the project because I was not fully educated on the topic. By learning, we get to understand real world problems and how to help fix them. I’m proud to say that I will be able to use it in the future, being able to continuously follow the slow fashion movement.

Throughout the project, I was also able to develop my ATL skills, most especially my researching skills. This is seen evident when looking at my OPVL and research. I used many different forms of research to reach the goal.

Dealing with the global context of globalization and sustainability, this project has helped me establish my awareness in relation to the problems of the world we live in. This is because the project solely reflects and circles around the global context. I was able to see the impacts humans have on the environment. I have always had a deep passion towards the environment relating to the global context, however, working around the global context has made me have even a deeper appreciation towards it as doing the project made me realise the amount of effort it really takes to stay sustainable.

IB Learner Reflection

As IB students, our IB learner profiles are continuously developing. This project is no exception, almost all of the profiles of mine have developed, but the most preeminent ones are thinker and risk-taker.

Creating a clothing line out of valueless clothing was extremely difficult as I had to think of ways to make use of the limited fabric I have. When encountering these problems, I was able to be creative and critical in solving my problems, developing my thinking skills.

I took a risk when stepping out of my comfort zone. Not having prior experience in creating clothing, I was able to take a risk and do what I was passionate about. Additionally, I took risks when creating the tutorials on each item. This was something that I beforehand knew would be difficult, especially as I did not know the terminologies used in the fashion community, however, I was determined to be able to inspire others to be more sustainable.