My thesis collection, AD VALORUM is an exploration of community through sustainable textile. Operating with the belief that there is already too much pre-existing stuff, I was determined to design a collection without producing more waste.
I reached out to my community--friends, family, etc.--asking for donations of old, worn, or broken clothes. I slightly narrowed my parameters, asking for denim, nylon stockings, sports mesh, and plastic bags in specific, and was overwhelmed by the positive response that I received.
With the assistance of the people around me, I broke down and reconstructed the materials, creating complex textiles that paralleled the intricate bonds and relationships within a community.
The collection that these textiles formed takes an optimistic, lighthearted view of fashion, and presents the possibilities of sustainable clothing without sacrificing personal identity.
