1
Table of contents
1.
Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................... 3
2.
Problem Definition .......................................................................................................................... 4
3.
Methods .......................................................................................................................................... 5
4.
Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 6
5.
Analysis of the problems and chance of the community couture scenario .................................... 8
5.1
The catalyst- lack of raw materials .......................................................................................... 8
5.2
Secondhand Clothing - Fashion isn’t what it used to be ......................................................... 9
5.3
Do it yourself- second hand as a chance ............................................................................... 11
5.4
Clothing libraries - shopping in the future ............................................................................ 12
5.5
Swap parties .......................................................................................................................... 13
5.6
Online communities – the future community ....................................................................... 13
5.7
Functional clothes ................................................................................................................. 15
5.8
Uniformity ............................................................................................................................. 16
5.9
Unisex Clothes ....................................................................................................................... 17
5.10
A new chance, recycled fabrics ............................................................................................. 18
5.11
Recycled trimmings ............................................................................................................... 19
6.
Our own clothing – the uniform of the future .............................................................................. 21
7.
Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 23
8.
Sources .......................................................................................................................................... 28
Graphic 1: Increase of cotton prices ....................................................................................................... 9
Graphic 2: Membership of online community ...................................................................................... 14
Graphic 3: police uniform (Germany).................................................................................................... 16
Graphic 4: unisex jeans.......................................................................................................................... 17
2
1. Executive Summary
The following paper sheds light on the changes in the worldwide production and retailing of
clothes in the year 2025, due to the scenario forum for the future and the Levi Strauss & Co
company developed.
Starting with the lack of raw material, the problems in the cotton industry, which are directly
linked to the growth of population, are described. The countries India and China are
therefore exemplarily. Ongoing, the phenomenon of second hand clothing is explained. It is
about second hand as a resource in the future and the different categories of second hand
clothes. There is also a part where the new do-it-yourself-movement is characterized.
Additional, the main principle of the so called clothing libraries is described and how they
will gain importance in the year 2025. Changes and developments in the fashion business are
explained. Following this, there is the concept for a new online clothing community, which
concept allows people in 2025 to be fashionable, even if thinks change according to the
scenario. In this context, the new power of communities is shown.
Leading to our own clothing line, the principles for new manufactured clothes, which are
functional in the way that is needed in the year 2025, are specified. Starting with the
functionality of clothes, which is mostly about different layers, there is also an essay about
uniforms, which will become standard in the future.
Going on with the guidelines of unisex clothes, different methods and kinds of recycled
fabrics and garments are shown, including the example of companies, using the new way
even nowadays. The conclusions, which are drawn after the analysis and the activities that
were chosen help people live with the changes, are ending the paper.
After a short report about the important points of our own developed garments. They
include functionality, material and the different features. Afterwards, the garments are
shown as technical flats. All the details are highly important and apparent on these flats.
3
2. Problem Definition
Self-sufficient communities thrive in a world struggling to cope with the strain of growing
populations and resource shortages. Very high costs of raw materials and disrupted supply
chains have resulted in a dramatic fall in the production and sale of new clothing. In its place
vibrant local networks of second-hand clothing have evolved: community bonds are strong
and creative fashion solutions abound. That said many consumers still strongly desire ‘new’
clothes – now affordable only to the rich or on the black market. Clothing care is low-tech
but efficient.1
This is how the „forum for the future”, a website with different projects, imagined in their
“Fashion futures 2025”, how fashion and fashion retail will change according to the
influences of the global changes. This paper shows that this scenario is showing its first
appearances in the world of 2011. Dealing with the different aspects the scenario contains
this paper will show how the effects of the crisis can be watered down.
1
(Co)
4
3. Methods
We started to look for information based on the report of “forum for the future”. We
decided to take the world as it is now, in the year 2011, as our base. Searching for
tendencies which made clear that our scenario could be reality in a few years, we found a lot
of facts, which show, that the “community couture” world has basically almost arrived.
We divided the theme into different parts. Starting with the general lack of raw materials,
which is the basic problem in the fashion industries of 2011 and 2025, we then went on
discovering a whole new market which is just developing.
Second Hand clothing and facilities like clothing libraries, are not just existing in the text
“Forum for the future” has put together, there is even nowadays extremely much
information given in the internet about these developments. In addition we looked for
methods to attenuate the changes, fashion is going through. We searched for information
about materials out of recycled things and other aspects that are going to gain importance,
for instance the uniformity of fashion or sustainability.
Another very important point of our research was the power communities are gaining over
the years. We found facts about all different kind of communities, not only the online
communities, which are so popular these days.
According to this, our paper is not just about the state of fashion and fashion retail it is also
about the important changes in society. In order to that, developments like the globalization
or the increase of population are having a big impact on the deployment of the fashion
future.
With all the information we gathered from different websites, we tried to forecast how the
indications of our community couture scenario will engineer in the future, if the world
changes, in the way, “forum for the future” thinks.
5
4. Introduction
Looking at the scenario “forum for the future” created you may think this is never going to
happen. Sentences like “That said many consumers still strongly desire ‘new’ clothes – now
affordable only to the rich or on the black market. “ or facts about clothing businesses,
working with raw materials, needing to be protected by the army, seem to unreal to ever
become reality. But our research shows, how near this alarmingly future really is. We found
a lot of evidence for the developments existing in our nowadays world.
The main reason for those dramatically changes, is the lack of raw materials, we even see
today. We chose cotton as a showcase for this development, because it is the most
important raw material used in the fashion industry. Even if you cannot imagine it, the
scenario is right with its assumptions about the world changing according to the change in
the raw material business.
The world in 2011 shows also, how important communities will get. Precursors in this area
are the online communities. Websites like facebook or twitter do not only connect people in
the internet, they are today important instruments for companies or political groups. Even
revolutions can be organized through the online communities, like it just happened in Egypt.
These developments show how the communities get stronger and how people rely on the
communities. And the different associations are learning how to work together, apart from
the fact that they are online or offline. The community is a power we will have to face in the
future. “Change in the sector to reduce environmental impact and to promote social equity
will occur if driven by consumer’s choice.”2
The adjustment, of alternative solutions to normal shopping, like clothing libraries or swap
parties show, how the fashion changes. Today, every person wearing fashion, is trying to be
as individual as possible. Individuality is the highest goal in the fashion affine society of 2011.
But dramatically developments, will force us back to the uniformity, which was normal all
the wax through society. So Individuality will get an extravaganza only rich people will be
able to afford. According to the gap between rich and poor, that will even be forced apart in
the future, poor people or people with normal income will go back to clothes that are kind of
a uniform. The slogan “form follows function” will be the slogan of the future.
2
(Julian M Allwood, 2006)
6
The only chance the world has to slow down these changes is to think about sustainability.
Because of this we did not only think about solutions like community recycling centers or
swap parties, we also did research on the field of recycling. If there are no raw materials left
to produce with, you will have to think about alternatives. In the fashion industry, some
business stand out, for there will to change their habits, in order to save our environment
and to produce clothes made out of recycled materials. Even our daily waste like plastic
bottles can be transformed into new clothes. It is also important to think of the old clothes
which are no longer wearable.
Reading the following paper, you will probably be shocked how far the progress has really
emerged. Thinking the scenario is absolutely wrong and unreal will be your starting point,
getting an idea of the future world and the nowadays development will be your own
conclusion. But, it seems, there are a few arrangements that are not even too much work, to
slow this community couture changes down.
7
5. Analysis of the problems and chance of the community couture scenario
5.1 The catalyst- lack of raw materials
The lack of raw materials is one of the biggest problems in the world of 2011. It is a
problem that occurs in every branch, not only the fashion branch. We are focusing on the
fashion branch, the causes of the lack and the consequences these developments have on
the market.
The lack of raw materials is not a problem of the moment, in 1945, after the Second World
War in Germany ended, raw materials for clothing manufactories were so marginal, second
hand clothes had to be imported. These days, the problems were locally, but in the future,
they are going to be global.
Cotton stands exemplarily for the raw materials. It is the most important raw material for
the fashion business. One of the basic problems in the cotton retail is the increasing number
of people in the world. The biggest sellers of cotton are two countries with many problems.
China sells about 7 949 000 tons of cotton a year, which makes about 32, 34% of the world
wide cotton sales. The second biggest cotton exporter is India with 5 433 000 tons a year and
a market share of 22, 15 %3.
Those two countries are also the countries with the biggest amount of people and with the
highest growth in population. Together they have about 36,8% of the world’s population4.
This is one of the reasons for the lack of raw materials. China and India need a bigger
amount of cotton to supply their own needs, so they can logically not sale the whole volume,
they used to sale. In addition, more than 25% of the world’s production of clothing and
textiles are in China.5
Another development, which is based on the global warming are natural disasters. Another
important cotton supplier, Australia, was, for example, hit by so many different nature
catastrophes in 2010, from drought to flooding. These disasters destroyed an important bulk
of the cotton crop.
In addition to that, the price for the cotton is directly linked to the dollar exchange rate. In
normal situations, with just a small absence of cotton, this could be balanced by not using
3
(Agriculture, 2010)
(bureau, 2010)
5
(Julian M Allwood, 2006)
4
8
only cotton, but by producing fabrics out of cotton and artificial fibers. But, as the price for
oil is, like the price for cotton, directly linked to the dollar rate, this is not the solution for the
problem. Because of the weak dollar, the price for cotton increased, within a year, to about
a plus of 150%.
Graphic 1: Increase of cotton prices
This chart shows how the price for cotton has developed in the last thirty years. So, the
most important reasons for the lack of raw materials in fashion industries are not only the
China Boom, but also the very high price for raw materials and the increasing need for
cotton in the world. All these facts show that this enormous lack cannot be cancelled easily,
because it is based on global changes. So people need to find alternatives to the new
manufactured clothes. One of them is second hand clothing.
5.2 Secondhand Clothing - Fashion isn’t what it used to be
Nowadays secondhand clothing has become an important source and a booming fashion
scene. Today used clothing, as vintage draws a bigger spotlight than ever because even
celebrities have worn vintage garments at popular events. A good example for this
9
phenomenon is Julia Roberts, who wore a Valentino vintage dress at the Oscar Awards in
2001.6
She was one of the first people to do so but today we are used famous people wearing
vintage couture on the red-carpet, which draws public and media attention on secondhandclothing. Style-conscious people created a whole new way of shopping. They look for special
used or old clothes in different places by browsing and rummaging on the internet or in
secondhand shops. The shopping of secondhand-clothing gives them the kick of making a
discovery or finding something unique and unusual.
The clientele for vintage-clothing varies in the twenty-first century, because vintage has a
different meaning for everyone. For somebody born after the Second World War, vintage
may mean clothes from the 1930s and 1940s, whereas for people born in the millennium
period, vintage garments mostly are from the 1970s and 1980s.
People who are keen on style like secondhand garments and used designer labels, they buy
it to create their very own taste and wear it at different events. The development of the
internet enabled the market of previously worn clothing to expand vastly7. Couture clothing
from established designer brands has become affordable on internet auction sites and eBay
customers can buy designer items that aren’t available where they live.
Contemporary the recycling of clothing also has become a huge trend since the trade of
secondhand-clothing absolves landfills and supports environmental degradation. Recycling
also gives used clothing an extended life span, enables to transform clothing into new items
and to make clothing out of waste like empty water bottles.8
The market of secondhand-clothing has become a niche market in many parts of the west
and the third world countries import used clothes from the west as an important low cost
clothing source. For example the United States, the Netherlands and Germany are one of the
largest exporters and they send most of their secondhand clothes to Africa.
Another important aspect drawn by the rise of the recycling industry is the creation of
employment at many levels. As the process of recycling never rests, the textile recycling and
6
(Bashuk, 2011)
( www.docstoc.com/docs/77672753/Secondhand-Clothing-Global-Fashion)
8
(Dave)
7
10
the trade of secondhand-clothing is lucrative for everyone9. Concluding, secondhand
clothing nowadays gives people all over the world an opportunity to find their own style
identity and also to construct their gender and appearance. Indeed, secondhand clothing
already is a creative global process to which everyone has access through the World Wide
Web.
According to the future and especially to the future scenario “community couture” in 2025
secondhand clothing will become the most important clothing source for little communities
spread all over the world.
Since raw materials for the production of new clothing have become rare no garments are
thrown away any more people developed strong community bonds and became very ecoconscious to provide themselves with new clothes.
5.3 Do it yourself- second hand as a chance
Most people living in communities now swap their clothes or get new clothes at local
secondhand markets that employ tailors and stylists to give their customers the opportunity
to make something else out of the stores clothes that fits their taste and supports
individuality in a thrifty world that suffers from resource shortages. This option of turning
cheap clothes into something the buyer feels comfortable in is the only way for poor
communities to have a piece of fashion in their lives, besides sewing their own clothes at
home.
To fashion enthusiastic ones this option also becomes psychologically important, as they
probably will have to wear uniforms in their everyday live that have specially been invented
in terms of sustainability. They have a long lasting life because of their special material, they
are modular, practical and of course recyclable and therefore eco friendly.
The wealthy people are able to separate themselves from poor communities in terms of
fashion because they use a new invented online platform to buy fashion which could be
compared to already existing clothing libraries on the internet.Thus, people in 2025 are
either forced to use their creativity to support their appearance with fashionable clothes or
they are wealthy and have access to every still existing or new produced garment in the
9
( www.docstoc.com/docs/77672753/Secondhand-Clothing-Global-Fashion)
11
world by using the internet which finally turns fashion into a luxury good. The internet is
even nowadays a good source for different sources of fashion.
5.4 Clothing libraries - shopping in the future
The principle of the Clothing library is not new, and over the next 15 years will grow in
importance.
Even today there are various types of libraries occasions in which you can borrow for a week
or even one day, the desired garments without having to spend a fortune. Because often the
price for a designer dress is up to 10,000 €, just to wear it once.
For these, and even more cases, there are several concept models today, which have
specialized in different areas. To explain the development of the Society for the Couture
community, one should go into the already available developments to understand the
principle better.
Pioneered the idea of bestowing of clothing was the New York Library Clothing Albright. This
library is especially for the editor, celebrity stylists, costume designers, or even Red Carpet
designer intended. It opens up the idea of it; the processed high, usually not very high-priced
clothes in a closet or leave an article of clothing bearing an editorial disappear, but to open it
to wider use ability. Not only expensive evening gowns but furthermore also designer shoes
and accessories award NY-Albright.
A similar one, however for a wider audience accessible idea of business is “Rent the
Runway”. In this approach, the normal woman can borrow something to suit any particular
occasion. The site is divided into different occasions and price ranges. So you can rent for
example, a Hervé Leger dress for a period of 5 days for a price of $ 150, rather than buy it for
$ 1,500. The two business founders have developed something for the eventuality of
contamination of the clothes, because for a mere $ 5 you can protect yourself.
However, there is also a concept that moves on a slightly different track. In the Belmont
Clothes Library in Western Australia can unemployed people borrow an outfit for an
interview and it is also possible for this being coached. The organization now has more than
1,500 pieces of clothing for every person and every type of interview; for example, this
includes suits, shirts and blouses, ties and shoes.
12
5.5 Swap parties
Within the last 5 years a little different social development still has arisen since the people
buy things often which either never attracts her or which disappear in the back corners of
the wardrobe after a certain time. The so called swap parties established themselves first in
cities like New York or London, but also in German cities are increasingly popular. In a swap
party people bring all the clothes that they no longer need or simply do not attract anymore
and then trade them for other things out This principle fills not only the wardrobe out again
without having spent money for this but also brings a sense of community and fun with
himself. As a consequence, Fashionistas become Recessionistas.
All this shows a present development scenario in 2025. The principle of community Couture
is based on the fact that there will be in 2025 a huge shortage of materials and it being no
longer possible for the textile industry does it become to cover the demand.
5.6 Online communities – the future community
For this reason we have developed a strategy to allow the slightly more prosperous world
population, despite shortages of raw materials, to have something new. This principle should
13
be possible in a community
Graphic 2: Membership of online community
This would be a global community development, which are as comparable concepts
developed rapidly and grow their brand awareness is steadily.
That such a network can spread quickly, you can see at the statistic in the upper page.
Networks such as Facebook and Twitter to spread all over the world, thus providing a
connection between the individual parts of the world
This concept we have taken our idea to make it accessible. The idea is to create a network
where you can borrow different items of clothing after an agreed period of time again to
send back or return. This principle would move mostly on a line segment, in which one can
try different things and combine virtually, for example, shoes or accessories.
A further idea of the network refers to the concept of the Swap parties that are the
exchange of the individual garments. However, there wouldn’t exist individual and private
parties which is accessible for a less broad masses, but in a larger context, which is accessible
to an international audience, the principle of the online swap network.
This principle would work as follows. It logs on, and, where necessary, its selected property
available to the community. The team of the network gets new clothes every day so come
and proposed. They then assess for specific criteria such as brands, so designer product, or
no-name product; quality, condition and age of each item of clothing or accessories, and also
a specific category, and then listened as the style, the respective pieces or what the occasion
it is worn can be.
Having now been assessed and categorized the various things, you get an account with
credits. These were each awarded according to the criteria and can now be redeemed. This
means that you can go shopping for these credits, without having to spend money to, or
having to buy something new.
To make the use of this network easier, one produces different groups for the community.
These groups can be established by the team of community couture, or by the members.
These groups are for example divided into evening gowns, business attire, casual or event. It
could also pass to the individual subgroups clothing styles, like punk, rock chic, boho, preppy,
elegant, hip hop, vintage, gothic, ethnic, romantic, ... where you then can interact with
14
peers, discuss and philosophies on different outfits. You can then reserving an outfit or
article of clothing for later, because you can see the various outfit options judge already and
even a designer of not only the very wealthy people, but also the normal population is
available, there are the individual parts of it for have a longer period or must be purchased.
This concept relieves the textile production and the shortage of raw materials, because it is
in 2025 no longer be possible, to manufacture new clothes, shoes, bags and jewelry.
Relieving not only the economy but also creates a new sense of community, a global
togetherness, of course, based on the particular social class, because it will not be for the
poorer strata of the world possible to join.
Many different factors are going to be important in the fashion of the future. Functionality
and uniformity are going to become more important.
5.7 Functional clothes
Functional clothes should be breathable, hypoallergenic, permeable to air, warming or
cooling.
Unsuitable clothing promotes the development of body odors. Too close, worn in too many
layers of clothing or made from synthetic materials constrains the air circulation and thus
the evaporation of sweat.
So that the functional clothing "works", the material layers have to be in the right order: the
innermost layer of clothing is most important. For the "wrong" product on the skin can affect
the overlying layers in their very function.
The task of the first layer is to forward the resulting moisture immediately, distribute and
transported to the outer layer. They must also reduce by a short drying time the cooling of
the body. This problem is to be created with functionality remedy.
Because the resources are very scarce and the production will be limited, the clothing is
made from the outset functional. Where it is in the realm of possibility, each garment should
have as many features as possible, so you can constrain and reduce the production.
Another advantage is that an individual therefore needs a lot less clothing, since the
individual pieces are equipped for any situation. However, it should be a distinction between
15
winter and summer clothes as other functions are needed. In addition to the functions of the
material also the single garment should be used for many purposes, e.g. long pants that can
be converted by a zipper at knee height to short pants. It should be used only materials that
are most functional in it from the outset in order to save resources. When these clothes are
made in the future can be saved as much as possible on raw materials, trimmings and
workers
5.8 Uniformity
A uniform symbolizes the function of the wearer and / or its membership in an association
and an organization.10
By wearing the uniform, the individual represents his job or his function.
Graphic 3: police uniform (Germany)
A uniform consists of a complete set of clothing, i.e. headgear, outerwear, pants and
footwear. There are various versions of uniforms. There are uniforms for
prestigious occasions (dress uniforms, parade uniforms), special uniforms for application
areas (such as at sea, in the mountains in the tropics, in deserts and forests) and activities
(flying suit, sport suit).
This contradictoriness between uniform and fashion and the resulting conflict can therefore
be expressed also with other terms: uniformity in contrast to the claim of individualism. This
shows the conflict between individuals and power or authority.
In terms of the scenario, the uniform is now used in many ways and therefore
haves labor and money. The uniform is no longer just for work etc. but can always be worn.
10
(http://www.keepschoolssafe.org/should-school-children-wear-uniforms/)
16
The production of uniform clothing for men and women is always simple and cheaper than
the production of clothing with various fashionable aspects as a basis.
In this time it’s just for rich people possible to live out individualism. Because of the absence
of raw material the already existing clothes get more expensive and so the poor people can
only afford the cheap manufactured uniforms.
5.9 Unisex Clothes
Unisex clothing is offered for both sexes, neutral in cut and color. A good example in this
case is the jeans. Both sexes often wear the same jeans model.11
Graphic 4: unisex jeans
A distinguishing feature is for example the zipper. Whether for historical reasons or just
for pure distinction: In women's clothing, he is to open from the left, in men's clothes right.
The jeans especially usually open form the right. As you can see from this example, the
boundaries between men's and women's clothing is now fluent and basically meaningless.
The scenario indicates that the raw materials run short and it must be tried, that they can be
saved as much as possible and can be used again. Unisex clothing has the advantage
that it can be worn by both sexes. Because these clothes have to be neutral in color and
cut, you can already save here. For example you don’t need to many workers in production.
These garments can be worn by anyone, so you can produce less and save raw materials or,
due to the fact that it is neutral in color and cut, recycle them.
With Unisex clothing you no longer have to distinguish between women's and men's wear
and ease the work in the clothes exchange. But not only form and function of the clothes are
11
(http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/02/rad_hourani.html?mid=fashion-alert--20100217)
17
going to become important, the fabric, the clothes are made of are going to gain importance
as well.
5.10 A new chance, recycled fabrics
Recycling is the world that is nowadays present in fashion but will gain a lot of attention in
the future. In Germany, 580 000 tons of clothing are sold every year. In contrast to that, we
need to look at the clothes that are brought back. The possibilities to get your used clothes
back in the consumers circle are multifaceted. There are street collection, special disposal
areas for clothes and other ways, to get rid of the clothes not needed anymore.
Nowadays, what happen to the old textiles, which are collected, is not very sustainable. In
Germany, the 40 % which are still usable are sold to Eastern Europe and countries in the
third world. 10% are thrown away, the can no longer be used, the rest is used as raw
materials for the paper industries or for businesses producing cleaning cloth. In the future, it
is not going to be possible to dispose such a high amount of second hand clothes. The
branch needs to find other ways to recycle the old fabrics. Today, some labels started to find
a way to more sustainability.
One, that stands exemplarily for this development is polartec. “Post consumer and post
industrial waste is turned into first quality polyester”12 (www.polartec.de) Since 1993, they
have searched for the perfect method to recycle waste into new fabric. As they are
producing very functional clothes, there are high claims for the polyester. It is possible to
turn old PET-bottles into “super-soft-next-to-skin-polyester”. Polartec also has other projects
to help enlarge the sustainability of their business. In fact, they are gaining carbon from
coconut shells, which can be continued to process very functional fabric.
One of the raw materials that can be recycled perfectly is wool. Polartec has its own project
for recycling wool, which is based on Eco-Engineering. But even for normal people, recycling
a woolen pullover is not to difficult. Wool does not lose its great features, if you reuse it.
What Polartec does is the way many labels should take. With the shortage of raw materials it
is more than important to focus on new materials. In our community couture scenario, it
turns out, how important recycling really is. All those small steps, like recycling waste,
reusing wool or trying to find way to get fibers out of very unusual elements are pointing out
12
(www.polartec.com, 2011)
18
the direction the fabric industry is going to. Polartec stands out, with its engagement in
sustainability but other companies are going to follow, or, are forced to follow.
5.11 Recycled trimmings
Producing sustainable clothes is not just about the fabric. A garment consists of way more
than just textile. There are many different items that play a role in a dress for example.
There are zippers, buttons and last but not least, of course the yarn, it is sewn together with.
But is there a way to produce eco-friendly trimmings? Is it possible to produce those things
out of recycled materials?
There is, and even nowadays, trimmings can be bought and produced with sustainability.
YKK, the biggest retailer for zippers in the world, stands out for its enormous advance in
producing eco-friendly. YKK offers Natulon Zippers, which are made out of PET polyester.
That means the raw material for the zippers are old surrendered PET-bottles, which you can
find in every normal waste around the world. So, no new resources have to be taken for
producing ne zippers.
Another important innovation is YKKs ReEarthZippers. They are formed out of corn and
other plant materials. There are only materials used, which are not needed for feeding
needs. A test of the eco website www.treehugger.com shows, how the zipper decomposes.
Buried in normal soil, the zipper almost completely decomposes in about forty days.
Even for the imperfect or used zippers YKK gets or produces, there are good ways to
depollute. They are scraped to very small parts and are reused as cushion material for
pillows and dolls. All these YKK products show how easy it will be in the future to make
sustainable zippers. You don’t need to take raw materials to produce new zippers; you can
just take normal house waste or natural materials. It is the perfect way to conserve nature
and to produce even if there is a huge lack of raw materials developing on the world.
With the buttons the development is not as great as it is in the zipper industry. But there are
ways to recycle buttons as well. Buttons made out of natural material like beak or different
kind of woods can be used for a very long time. Old buttons from clothes you can no longer
use can be easily sewn onto a new garment. Buttons made out of other materials can also be
recycled. First and foremost, knobs made out of glass and metal can easily be recycled. By
19
melting down the buttons, you can give them new shapes, according to the style the
garment should be. All over the internet, these new but recycled buttons are sold. Even on
dawanda, a huge do-it-yourself website, people sell buttons made out of variation materials
that can be found in the normal waste.
Another really important thing you need for every garment is yarn. Using yarn made out of
recycled materials is, as you see, a very important factor. The American website
patrickyarns.com retails yarns made out of recycled materials. Their yarns are used for many
different trimmings you need producing fashion. They are not just for sewing, but also for
knitting and weaving13.
The recycled yarn is made out of recycled PET-bottles. 10 plastic bottles = 1 pound of
polyester fiber 1 ton (2000) lbs of plastic bottles recycled saves 3.8 barrels of oil. These are
only some of the recycle facts given on patrickyarns website. It is proved you can produce a
garment with just using recycled materials. In the upcoming event of a huge lack of raw
materials, as given in our scenario, the communities are able, to make clothes by just using
recycled materials. This is a great advance, helping to milder the effects of the crisis in 2025.
13
(yarns, 2010)
20
6. Our own clothing – the uniform of the future
The garments we developed are following the basic principles, we discovered in our analysis.
The basic aim is to create a kind of uniform that suits everyone. It is unisex, which means,
men and women can wear it comfortably. So the cuts are rather easy and not figure tight.
The overall preference was to think of clothes as functional as possible.
The jacket basically consist of two different jackets, the inner layer is a thin jacket mostly for
summer and spring. It is made out of recycled PET-bottles, which create a very comfortable
feeling on the skin. This inner jacket can be worn both sides round. The outer layer is a huge
parka. It can be zipped to the inner layer to create a warm winter jacket. It is possible to
button a hood to the jacket, to which you can add an additional fur piece. It is artificial fur,
which is also made out of recycled Pet-bottles. All in all, this entire jacket can be worn all
year, and has because of the big pockets a very functional image.
The trousers have a huge ribbing on the top that can be adjusted with a band. This makes it
wearable for many different sizes. Above the knee, there are several zippers, so you can zip
on long legs. It has big pockets with a lot of freight hold. That means you have two different
trousers in one. It is made out of recycled jersey. To complete the outfit, there is a shirt, you
can transform by zipping on long sleeves. The sleeves are very far, to create an easy image
and are having a tight ribbing at the bottom to keep the cold out. In summer you can wear
the shirt sleeveless. It is also made out of recycled jersey.
The overall completes the garments we developed; it is also a piece of clothes you can wear
every day. It has huge batman sleeves, which make sure; they fit men as well as women. It
has application on the knees and around the waist. That makes the garment way more
consistent, so it is especially good for work.
All in all, all these garments follow the principles of the 2025 scenario. They are all made out
of recycled fabric and just recycled trimmings. The zippers make the garments even more
functional and usable. In addition to that, the clothes are more durable and because of the
great miscellaneousness of the clothes. In terms of color, we chose neutral colors, we chose
light grey, black and print, which both sexes can wear easily. All the garments are lined with
21
the print, so you can wear them both sides round.
22
23
24
25
7. Conclusion
One of the many sources we used for our analysis says something pretty important that will
be one of the most important facts in our future. The consumer needs to make the change.
This means, the community is going to be the most important power in the future. “In order
to create change, the consumer would: buy secondhand clothing and textiles where
possible, buy fewer, more durable garments and textile products, lease clothes that would
otherwise not be worn to the end of their natural life, extend life of clothing through repair,
and dispose of used clothing and textile through recycling businesses, who would return
them for second hand sale, wherever possible, but otherwise extract and recycle the yarns
or fibers. “14
Altogether, these facts mean, the future is in our hand. Even nowadays, we are recognizing
the first impacts of the worldwide lack of raw materials. The problems India and China have
to provide the cotton and keep the raw material market stable will just increase. So, now is
the time to find new resources and other ways to abide the fashion industry.
One of the most important resources is second hand clothing. Together with swap parties
and do-it-yourself community recycling centers, this is the fashion industry of the future
world in the year 2025. All of these developments show there signs in the world of 2011 and
will continue to increase.
Looking at the things that are already done today, there is hope. Sustainability is one of the
most important topics for companies today. This development occurs because of the
pressure the media and the consumer put on the textile companies. In this context, the
research and production of recycled fabric and trimmings are more important than ever
before.
Containing the form and design of the future fashion, aspects are going to become relevant ,
which are today not important. Creating a new uniform for the normal people, there are
several points the designer need to think about. Not only the word uniform needs to lose its
bad character, but elements like functionality need to be included. Unisex clothing is going
to play an important role in the future as well.
14
(Julian M Allwood, 2006)
26
As a matter of fact, the Fashionista is going to turn into a Recessionista in the future.
According to this, new Institutions need to be formed. We developed a concept, which
combines many important aspects. The community is going to develop in the internet, but
has a lot of reference to the offline world. In this community fashion is the main aspect, but
it is the best way to save the thought of sustainability in the fashion world. All of these
measurements are going to help water the effects of the crisis down. It is going to save
natural resources, money and is going to beef up the community.
27
8. Sources
Agriculture, U. S. (2010). Foreign Agricultural Service- Production Supply and Distribution.
Bashuk, A. (2011, Februar 25). http://ethicalstyle.com/issue-53/the-green-carpet. Retrieved Juli 30,
2011, from http://ethicalstyle.com/issue-53/the-green-carpet
bureau, p. p. (2010). world population data sheet.
Co, f. f. (n.d.). forumforthefuture.org. Retrieved Juli 30, 2011, from forumforthefuture.org:
http://www.forumforthefuture.org/project/fashion-futures-2025/overview
Dave. (n.d.). www.slopesource.com/2011/01/27/dirtball-fashion-making-clothes-from-water-bottles.
Retrieved Juli 30, 2011, from www.slopesource.com/2011/01/27/dirtball-fashion-making-clothesfrom-water-bottles
http://images.nymag.com/images/2/daily/2009/08/20090820_jeans_560x300.jpg. (n.d.). Retrieved
Juli 30, 2011, from http://images.nymag.com/images/2/daily/2009/08/20090820_jeans_560x300.jpg
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/02/rad_hourani.html?mid=fashion-alert--20100217. (n.d.).
Retrieved Juli 30, 2011, from
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/02/rad_hourani.html?mid=fashion-alert--20100217
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/02/rad_hourani.html?mid=fashion-alert--20100217. (n.d.).
Retrieved Juli 30, 2011, from
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/02/rad_hourani.html?mid=fashion-alert--20100217
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/02/rad_hourani.html?mid=fashion-alert--20100217. (n.d.).
Retrieved Juli 30, 2011, from
http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/02/rad_hourani.html?mid=fashion-alert--20100217
http://www.keepschoolssafe.org/should-school-children-wear-uniforms/. (n.d.). Retrieved Juli 30,
2011, from http://www.keepschoolssafe.org/should-school-children-wear-uniforms/
http://www.thueringen.de/imperia/md/images/tim/presse/fotoarchiv/fotos2008/blaue_uniform1.jp
g. (n.d.). Retrieved Juli 30, 2011, from
http://www.thueringen.de/imperia/md/images/tim/presse/fotoarchiv/fotos2008/blaue_uniform1.jp
g
Julian M Allwood, S. E. (2006). the present and future sustainabilty of clothing and textiles in the
United Kingdom. well dressed? (U. o. Manufacturing, Ed.)
www.polartec.com. (2011). Retrieved juli 30, 2001, from www.polartec.com:
http://www.polartec.com/technologies/eco-engineering-recycled/
www.ross-trading.de. (1999-2011). Retrieved Juli 30, 2011, from www.TradNavigator.com
28
yarns, p. (2010). www.patrickyarns.com. Retrieved Juli 30, 2011, from www.partickyarns.com:
http://www.patrickyarns.com/pdfs/EarthSpun_salesheet.pdf
 www.docstoc.com/docs/77672753/Secondhand-Clothing-Global-Fashion. (n.d.). Retrieved Juli 30,
2011, from Global Fashion:  www.docstoc.com/docs/77672753/Secondhand-Clothing-GlobalFashion
 www.docstoc.com/docs/77672753/Secondhand-Clothing-Global-Fashion. (n.d.). Retrieved Juli 30,
2011, from secondhand-clothing-global-fashion.pdf: 
www.docstoc.com/docs/77672753/Secondhand-Clothing-Global-Fashion
(http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/02/rad_hourani.html?mid=fashion-alert--20100217)
(http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/02/rad_hourani.html?mid=fashion-alert--20100217)
(http://www.keepschoolssafe.org/should-school-children-wear-uniforms/)
29