I discovered Timo Rissanen while reading this New York Time article about a half hour ago. Since then, I've been glued to my laptop, reading his blog and everything I can find on Zero Waste Designing.

I'm going to attempt to define Zero Waste Designing. I'm a learner so, if I get it wrong, please correct me. Zero Waste Designing is the approach that you can design garments without wasting any of the fabric. Usually, pattern pieces are made and laid out. Then, the fabric is cut with some fabric excess. This is then thrown out, leading to tons of waste, if you think about the number of garments made in factories.

Zero Waste Designing doesn't waste any fabric.

For the last few weeks, I've been prepping for a project and getting some designs to the factory. I've felt, though, that my designing isn't hitting that spot in my heart.

It hasn't been resonating with me.

I've been studying trends and inspiration to create a collection but it seemed like a generic collection. It seemed to me like one that was competing for space with trendy clothing. This was never my intention. I've always wanted to design with a conscience.

After reading about Zero Waste Designing, I feel like this is it. This is what I want to do. Of course, I need to put muslin to dress form and see what it exists past this feeling but I'm hoping to have my line be Less Waste Designing, if not Zero Waste Designing.

It's not a new approach. It's been around since the dawn of clothing, when people had no choice but to save and re-use every little bit. Check out Timo's blog to read more about it. He's doing a PhD dissertation on it.

For me, it's new. And it's pretty freakin' exciting.

Any thoughts you have on this are welcome, as I'm just learning about it myself.


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