Fragment textiles
February – July 2009 A garment that can be worn in multiple ways. The customer will have less need to buy new clothes because of the variation. Refinity and Berber Soepboer developed a click/fold system. Stitching yarn is no longer needed. Garments can simply be clicked together. Because of this it is possible to wash or replace the parts separately. It is made of C2C wool flannel, which is so harmless you could “so to speak” eat it. Approach The customer has the opportunity to change the garment himself. More variations can be made from one garment. Because of this the garment will stay interesting to wear. Besides this it is also possible to wash or replace the parts separately. When the garment is worn out it has to be easy to take it apart to recycle it. This is why Refinity chose to use the click/fold system and not stitches, press-studs, velcro or zippers. A fabric that does not fray is needed to use the click/fold system. Some options are (kangaroo) leather, used furniture leather and wool felt. The reason Refinity chose to use American wool flannel is because this is certified by Cradle to Cradle. It does not contain harmful materials and it can be processed into felt again. The tanning of leather is with harmful chemicals. Used furniture leather would be an option because this could then be used again. But also from this leather harmful gasses evaporate. Refinity chose not to use Dutch sheep wool because this is often too flexible for felts. The downside of using American wool flannel is that is has to be imported. This generates a lot of CO2. Refinity is convinced that there will be eco-effective transport options in the future. Who is Berber Soepboer? Photograpy Savale, Hair & Make-up Annelies van Oosterum, Model Marjolein Heij
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