Browsing by Author "Rusanen, Laura"

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Merelle: Designer’s role in building a sustainable future
(2021) Rusanen, Laura
School of Arts, Design and Architecture | Master's thesis
As the fashion and textile industry remains to be the one the most polluting industries in the world, something has to be done. But who has the responsibility to change and how? This thesis is a personal journey looking into what is the fashion designer’s responsibility in maintaining the Baltic Seas wellbeing, a sea that has been described as one of the most polluted seas for years. In order to research the thesis main research question: “How can I as a designer influence the wellbeing of the Baltic Ocean?” this research is divided into two parts, written research and production part. My hypothesis is that even though designers are mainly in charge of the visual and functional aspects of products, there are still choices that designers can make to minimize the negative environmental consequences that the fashion and textile industry has. The written research touches upon a wide range of topics, which are required to understand the negative impact that modern clothes have on the environment. As sustainability has no black and white answers, research is limited around Baltic sea and its biggest problems, and how garments are linked to them. As climate change is considered as the biggest threat to our shallow sea’s future, fashion and its impact on the environment, especially water bodies around the world, are also touched upon. Research revolves around circular economy guidelines, so that garments can be recycled after the end of lifespan. As a final result, the thesis presents a small capsule collection, Merelle, that aims to answer the research question with different material choices, natural dyes, coatings and slower manufacturing processes. Collection plays with big contrasts such as past and future materials, rugged fisherman wear and sensual swimwear, which all are somehow connected by the sea. Garments are made out of mono-materials in order to follow circular economy guidelines. Mono-materials are also chosen to avoid synthetic fibers, which can cause plastic pollution during washing. Each used material and their finishings are then reviewed in the literature review in order to discuss their good and bad qualities. Through research, this thesis can state that design and designers are in the core center of making circular economy work. Designers act as bridges between manufacturing and consumers, past and future. Designers tend to design for the future, whether it’s for the next day or for the next two years. They have the ability to imagine new, first impossible future scenarios. This research creates a future scenario through practice-led-research, where harmful filamentous algae can be used as a material, and where already existing methods such as mending are used to prolong the garments lifespan. As the final result, Merelle-collection is something unique, something that can be only designed and made once. This research and collection are part of my own ongoing journey to find out what is sustainable fashion and what is my role in creating a better future.