Fabric waste as an opportunity for self-production
Unibz Bachelor degree project—2025
The fashion and outdoor apparel industries generate significant amounts of pre- and post-consumer textile waste. FABRI.CAP investigates how outdoor brands manage textile waste, identifies the most common sources of fabric leftover, assesses current waste-handling strategies, and explores opportunities for upcycling. The final outcome is a collection of DIY hat-making instructions that transform leftover fabrics into functional, wearable accessories. By transforming waste into an opportunity for hands-on creation, the project aims to reconnect individuals with the products they wear, fostering a deeper awareness of responsible consumption through agency. While this thesis presents a framework for repurposing textile waste, it is, at its core, an invitation to question how we consume and to experiment with sewing as a small step towards a more mindful and engaged relationship with our clothing.
A curated collection of open-source sewing projects designed to teach the craft of sewing while fostering awareness about clothing manufacturing. Have you ever wondered how your clothes are made? What value would you give to your clothes if you sewed them yourself? The collection includes projects like a dry bag, the silk-road bag by Rayon Vert, a traditional 1800s tie-on pocket, and a chalk bag for climbing. Each project comes with a paper template and detailed instructions, neatly folded inside a soft cover, making the process accessible and enjoyable.
To celebrate a 6-day trek along the Alta Via 2 in the Dolomites, I designed and produced a custom bandana. The visual composition is a collage of found and redrawn symbols: from the Selva di Val Gardena town logo to motifs by illustrator Hugo Bernier, the Vibram logo, and references to alpine gear. The design functions as both a memento and a utilitarian piece, mapping the route and commemorating the physical and graphic experience of the journey.
GPCS is an embodiment of the connection between humans and nature. Its integrity relies on a system of ropes that are bound to the earth, allowing the seat to stand. The user must engage in a process of connecting the ropes to the ground, grounding the chair to the earth. This process is an invitation to slow down and engage with the present moment. The chair becomes a symbol of our dependence on the earth and our responsibility to care for it. It serves as a call to action, inspiring us to live in a more harmonious relationship with the natural world.
The project critically explores modern society's cycle of consumption, where desire leads to ownership and ultimately to waste. It began with the disassembly of a discarded mountaineering jacket, revealing over 160 parts from various materials and manufacturing processes. Rather than seeing these materials as trash, the project sought to repurpose them creatively. The project then evolved into a manual enabling anyone, even those with no sewing skills, to make practical bags from discarded materials. This approach redefines the consumer as a co-creator, encouraging conscious choices and hands-on learning. The project culminated in a temporary installation and workshops at Salewa's Bolzano store, promoting sustainability, creativity, and resistance to disposable culture.