DuPont Biomaterials announced its sponsorship of the fashion undergraduate Bachelor of Arts Fashion Design program at Central Saint Martins (CSM) in London.
Central Saint Martins is known to be among the best fashion schools in the world, spawning some of the top fashion designers in the past few decades. More than 100 students of different pathways related to the apparel industry will receive partially bio-based Sorona fabrics to create their first fashion design for the school’s annual White Show.
At CSM, students are encouraged to pursue innovative, creative ideas and unconventional thoughts. The White Show gives them an opportunity to focus on the shapes and silhouettes of their fashion designs, rather than patterns and color. Thus, only white fabrics provided by Sorona will be used for the prototypes of the designs. The project includes each step of the design process, from the first sketch to the sewing of the final prototype and culminating with the organization and execution of the fashion show.
To signify the launch of this experience, an introductory lesson taught by Hao Ding, business manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) for DuPont Biomaterials, will share the specifics and performance attributes of Sorona fabrics with students. Of particular interest will be the stretchability, recovery and wrinkle-resistance that enable freedom in design and range of application. Sorona is also a sustainable solution, being made from 37 percent renewable plant-based ingredients.
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“At CSM, we are very keen for the students to learn about circularity in fashion and manufacturers who are developing sustainable fabrics and methods of producing them,” said Sarah Gresty, BA Fashion Course Leader at Central Saint Martins, a part of the University of the Arts London. “Therefore, the BA Fashion course is extremely grateful to Sorona for collaborating with us and enabling the students to work with their fabrics produced from renewable plant-based ingredients using processing methods that have less impact on the environment and can be recycled later on.
“Having this opportunity as first years will have a lasting impact and encourage the students to inform themselves and make responsible choices moving forward in their creative practice,” Gresty added.
Ding said it was an honor to collaborate with Central Saint Martins to help educate students on developing sustainable fashion and embedding a sustainability mindset into their design process.
“For the ‘White Show,’ we specifically developed non-dyed fabrics with the objective of minimizing the environmental impact,” Ding said. “Education is crucial for the development of sustainability. As a leader in the textile industry, we are more than happy to share our knowledge and experience, and to encourage and inspire the students to create more sustainable, beautiful clothes.”
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this year’s final White Show, devised and produced by BA Fashion Communication: Fashion Communication and Promotion students, will be held without the usual audience of professionals from the fashion industry.