Lindsi Bellomo: Communication Arts
Meredith Janos: Fashion Design
Jennie Onisk: Fashion Design
Laurel Rodriguez: Fashion Design
Hannah Wray: Fashion Merchandising
Amount Received: $1570; Amount requested: $3182.00
Fashion is one of the largest global industries. Unfortunately, fashion is also a very pollutive industry. In September 2009, the junior fashion design students traveled to New York City. During our trip, we had the opportunity to see the NOW Showcase featuring some of today’s sustainable fashion by independent designers. This inspired us to find a way to push forward sustainable thinking about fashion. The market is saturated with cheap, fast fashion, and our aim is to promote the ecological purchasing and consumption of fashion, especially among millennials. We plan to create our own line of sustainable fashion made from previously worn garments and eco-fabrics. We will also create educational and marketing materials.
According to Connie Ulasewicz,
"The ideas of fashion sustainability and eco-chic need to move from the fringes to the mainstream, and to do that, they must be skillfully marketed before they will shift people's perceptions and behaviors."
Research will be conducted to determine what information will best inform this group of consumers and we will develop 2D and 3D marketing tools to promote the understanding and appreciation of eco-fashion. We will travel to universities around the state wearing our re-created garments and distributing information. Finally, we hope to present our collection at a conference!
We believe it is our responsibility as emerging designers to shift our thinking, share our knowledge, and put our talents to work to ensure that the apparel industry and eco-fashion can do much more to support a healthy environment.
BUDGET:
We have budgeted $500.00 for fabric, previously worn garments, and notions to make eight garments for a collection. For marketing and educational supplies we have $382.00 estimated for 2,500 postcards and 1,000 magnets with 3 posters. The total gas cost to get to ten universities around Virginia Commonwealth University is $300.00 round trip. We also hope to send two members of our team to an international conference. For airfare and lodging we have $1000.00 per person budgeted. For our proposed budget this is a grand total of $3182.00.
GOAL:
By April 22, the day before Earth Day, we plan to have a fantastic fashion show in the heart of VCU sponsored by The Year of the Environment! Here will be the day to show off our eight wonderful outfits, share our research, answer questions and of course handout our freebies! This will be an exciting event so stick it in your calendar. It is scheduled to be between Cabell Library and Schaffer Court Dining Center from noon- two o'clock in the afternoon!!
For the next two months, I will be documenting our progress, posting up our process, putting up photographs & designs and just getting everyone hyped up for our Eco-Chic Fashion Show of 2010. See you there!
