‘Sustainable’ collection by young designers

Students from Department of Textile and Fashion Design at Izmir University of Economics (IUE) breathed new life into discarded denim fabrics to create a special collection themed around “sustainability.” Utilizing defective and surplus stock products from the Lee and Wrangler brands under the Karma Marka Retail Group, the young designers garnered significant acclaim with their innovative and contemporary designs consisting of 10 unique pieces. The students set an example by raising awareness about preventing fabric waste in the fashion industry.

The project, carried out in collaboration between Izmir University of Economics and Karma Marka Retail Group, involved third-year students Atakan Atıl, Ceren Emine Çolak, Dilara Aslan, Ilgar Derin Özgüneş, Işık Keser, Kartal Usta, Merve Balımtaş, Münevver Günaylı, Nisa Ünal, and Yasemin Yorulmazer.

In a seminar for the students, Bahar Ceyhan Zilayaz, Visual Communication and Retail Manager at Karma Marka Retail Group, shared insights about the history, brand identity, and target audiences of Lee and Wrangler. During a technical visit to Roteks Textile, Design Department Manager Nuray Atalayman and her team provided students with valuable information about sustainable materials and production methods.

PRESENTED TO THE JURY

At the end of the project, the young designers presented their work to a jury that included academics, Uğur Gülce, Corporate Communication and Sustainability Director at Karma Marka Retail Group, and Cihan Durak, Corporate Communication and Brand Manager at BR Retail Group. Following evaluations, it was announced that the selected designs would be showcased in various branches of the Lee and Wrangler brands. Additionally, IUE students standing out with creative ideas will have the opportunity to participate in industry projects determined by the brands.

SUSTAINABLE APPROACHES IN FASHION DESIGN

Elif Tekcan, a faculty member in IUE Department of Textile and Fashion Design, noted that the project represented a small-scale application of the sustainability approach emphasized in the Izmir Chamber of Commerce's ‘Senin Atığın Benim Hammaddem’ (Your Waste, My Raw Material) initiative. Tekcan said, “Through the materials provided by Karma Marka Retail Group and Roteks, students gained awareness about repurposing ‘pre-consumer waste’ generated in the denim sector. In this project, which prioritizes the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals of ‘quality education,’ ‘sustainable cities and communities,’ and ‘responsible consumption and production,’ our students designed special pieces tailored to the brand identities and customer profiles they worked with.”

USED LASER TECHNOLOGY

Tekcan stated the following, “Some of our students designed ‘timeless’ collections, consisting of classic and durable pieces inspired by brand heritage. Projects involving raw denim fabrics that had not undergone washing processes focused on design approaches to prevent water waste. Some of the patterns featured in the pieces utilized innovative laser technologies, which can be described as environmentally friendly. Roteks supported us in implementing these techniques. Other students produced their collections through the ‘upcycling’ or ‘reconstruction’ of waste fabrics and defective products.”