The future of sustainability lies in simplifying objects and processes to reduce material waste. My intention is to create garments from a single integrated process, minimizing waste and lowering the carbon footprint of production. This project aims to address sustainability and manufacturing challenges within the textile industry by merging fabric creation and garment construction into one continuous system, using existing technologies in new ways.

While globalisation has made large-scale production inevitable, sustainability is still often perceived as local or niche. My goal is to demonstrate that sustainable and ethical design can exist within mass production, offering an alternative that is both scalable and responsible.

During my Master’s degree at the Royal College of Art, I developed a method of constructing complete garments directly on the loom, pieces that require no sewing or additional assembly once woven. When removed from the loom, the garment is simply cut and turned inside out, leaving minimal waste. Form is achieved through weave structure and material selection. Using synthetic yarns allows the fabric to be cut with heat, sealing edges and preventing fraying.

This approach relies entirely on equipment already standardised in industry, such as single-repeat jacquard looms, but applies them in unconventional ways. Although many mills prioritise consistency and efficiency, some, like the TextielLab in Tilburg (where I wove this project during a residency), actively support innovation and experimentation within textile production.

By merging two distinct manufacturing processes, weaving and garment construction, this method eliminates multiple steps in the traditional supply chain, including sewing, garment development, and finishing. It also reduces the need for inter-factory shipping, thereby lowering overall carbon emissions.

Ultimately, this project proposes a more intelligent, integrated way of designing and making. It challenges cultural perceptions of sustainability and mass production, showing that impactful, scalable solutions can be achieved not through radical new technology, but through a rethinking of how existing tools are used.