The Future Fit Forum, led by Hyosung and consultant Michelle Branch, challenges designers to create sustainable denim by focusing on innovative fits, waste reduction, and garment longevity using secondhand and bio-based materials.

Designers and industry experts are investigating how denim fit can contribute to sustainability through the Future Fit Forum, a creative initiative led by Hyosung, the manufacturer of Creora spandex, alongside New York City-based consultant Michelle Branch. The forum challenges designers each season to rethink what denim fits might look like in the future, focusing on reducing waste and extending garment longevity.

For the latest edition of Future Fit Forum, participating designers were provided with two pairs of secondhand Levi’s 501 jeans and two yards of new denim fabric from Soorty, made using bio-based Creora spandex. Their resulting garments were showcased at Kingpins Amsterdam last week, highlighting innovations ranging from zero waste patterns and multi-use clothing to repurposing existing textiles.

Branch emphasized the critical role of fit within sustainability efforts, stating during a panel discussion with four designers that “Our industry has made great strides in ingredient and processing developments for sustainability, but very rarely do we talk about fit.” She advocates for fit to be a focal point to help reduce textile waste and keep garments in use for longer periods.

Several designers incorporated layered garment construction in their collections. Anna Weber, a Germany-based designer and founder of Artworks & Denim, created convertible designs featuring adjustable strings that transform the silhouette. She cited climate change and the need for garments adaptable to extreme weather as key motivations for her functional, versatile pieces. Weber noted the environmental benefit of multi-purpose clothing staying out of landfills longer.

Natasha Lunt, an upcycle designer from Los Angeles and founder of Showroom 316, integrated layered elements inspired by protective armor reflecting her English heritage. Her designs utilized digital printing from Lab Denim, a startup employing algae-based inks, to recreate distressed 1970s denim prints. Lunt highlighted the value of combining various techniques and collaborations to drive innovation in the denim industry. She said, “The trick to innovation isn’t just picking one lane. It’s a collaboration and I think if we can all come together and collaborate, then we can make a huge impact on the environment and the planet, and make the industry more accessible.”

Piero Turk, a veteran in Italian luxury denim, brought attention to classic fits and durable fabrics aimed at longevity. He remarked on the sustainability benefits of 3D pattern making and artificial intelligence, explaining, “In my time, you would have wasted hundreds of prototypes by testing, mending and correcting patterns… it’s a waste of time, money, energy, everything. But if I can imagine with artificial intelligence how it could look, how the denim and fit relate… it’s a big step to avoid waste.”

Margaret Sam, founder and creative director of Sum London, which draws on British Asian heritage, reinterpreted the materials into a traditional horse face skirt. The design was inspired by Qing Dynasty influences and the gold miners of the California Gold Rush, connecting this history to the origins of the Levi’s 501 jeans in San Francisco. Sam’s work offers a fresh perspective on workwear, typically seen through a westernized lens as dungarees or jackets, by incorporating cultural narratives.

Through their explorations, these designers draw both from historical references and contemporary technology to rethink denim fit in sustainable ways. Lunt stated, “History has all the answers, and I think for fashion, especially denim, there’s a lot of things that we can take away from that.”

The Future Fit Forum exemplifies a collaborative effort among designers to push the boundaries of denim fit, balancing innovation, heritage, and environmental consideration in the quest for more sustainable fashion solutions.

Source: Noah Wire Services