FLAIR JEANS
DATES:
September 2024 - June 2025
Skills:
Flair Jeans tackles fashion waste via hands-on workshops teaching people how to extend the life of the jeans in their closets through upcycling and repair. Consisting of 5 workshops in make shops on Stanford's campus,
While the initial goal of this project was to save 50 pairs of jeans from landfill, I quickly learned that the real value of this work came from people's empowerment, and mindset shifts, after learning to sew and rework clothing.
systems thinking
leadership
circular design
rapid prototyping
The design masters capstone project is a school-year-long, self-directed project in whatever the designer wants. It was a no-brainer for me to focus my work on waste and the pursuit of a circular economy, but finding the topic and creating a solution in the span of three quarters was an interesting journey.
As any systemic problem goes, the problem of waste spans policy, culture, the built environment, the private sector, nature and so much more. I explored habits of waste management around the globe, tracked the destination of recycled plastics and wrestled the question of food waste.
Ultimately deciding to focus on fashion waste, I implemented my systems thinking approach to creating a space in which people felt empowered to take ownership of their own waste streams and lengthen the life of one of the most resource-intensive products in their possession: blue jeans.
Background:
I designed the workshops to be educational, enjoyable and achievable for my participants. Focusing on the style of jeans I had practiced on four pairs already, I was able to guide them through the same process - and even collaborate in creating a new project together!
Participants were asked to:
Dedicate four hours to the workshop
Bring a pair of jeans sitting in their closets unused to work on
I provided:
Sewing machines and tools separated into different stations
Extra second-hand pairs of jeans and deadstock fabrics for inserts
Snacks and music for a comfortable setting
Background information on the footprint of jeans
Guidance and a beginner-friendly working environment
Flair JEans Workshops:
Workshop Walkthrough Video
OUTCOMEs:
Over 30 participants in five workshops completed their pairs of Flair Jeans!
A mix of people who hadn't touched a sewing machine to talented tailors creating intricate designs - everyone ended up with a pair of jeans that spoke to their personality and personal flair.
My favorite part of every workshop is pictured to the right - the face of accomplishment that each participant wore proudly as they tried on their completed pair of jeans for the first time!
In planning these workshops, I never expected to have received such high engagement from peers on campus. People were very willing to spend their afternoons with me and dedicate time to their projects. Even when the workshops ran long, or sewing went awry - requiring tedious seam ripping and redos - people didn't give up.
I loved getting to act as a teacher through these workshops and support people sewing for the first time! I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get to know people interested in fashion and upcycling, and also collaborate with the GSE Makery on campus to host the workshops.
If I could change one thing it would be to have started the workshops earlier! The momentum was growing as the school year ended, but I plan to continue this work with my community as a hobby and as I get more experienced with sewing and come up with more repeatable upcycling projects!
Reflections:
Sustainable Stanford Article
