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THE WHAT AND WHY
During the past four years consciousness has always played a role, not only in my day-to-day life but this also showed trough in the choices I made in my fashion & design studies at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute (AMFI). However, keeping all the shady sides that have become synonym with the industry in mind, it seems to be quite a paradox to combine my personal values with interest in fashion. But rather than to turn my back on it, I want to bring change from within the chain! So for my graduation I am collaborating with people from different disciplines researching alternative dying techniques for the fashion industry, Because clothing has to stop wearing out the world! |
Who |
I am Karlijne Opmeer, a fourth years fashion & design student from the Amsterdam Fashion Institute (AMFI). I am part of the new generation of future fashion professionals that realizes that there is no need for fashion, but a need for people designing with an eye for the environment and seducing consumers with the right choices through aesthetics.
I am passionately curious, have a hands-on approach and am intrigued by the speed of fashion; standing still is not an option for me. I work secure and have strong eye for details. My focus is on design in which I mostly enjoy construction and pattern manipulation. During the past four years sustainability had always played a role, not only in my day-to-day life, but this also showed trough in the choices I made in my work. Keeping all the shady sides that have become synonym with the industry in mind, it seems to be quite a paradox to combine my personal values with interest in fashion. But rather than to turn my back on it, I want to bring change from within the chain. So for my graduation I am collaborating with people from different disciplines looking for alternative materials and/or techniques. |
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why |
Fashion is the second largest polluting industry after oil. It has evolved in something similar to assembly-line fast food, easy to consume but made with few respect. Not only poor working conditions have become synonym with the industry, also the enormous impact it has on the environment. Every stage in a garment’s life threatens our planet and its resources. Even the final stage, when, in most cases, garments are discarded in giant landfills. Besides, not to forget the synthetic dyes, that not only harms our environment, but also has it's influence on our bodies.
A throwaway culture has arrived, in which fast fashion flourishes; low-cost clothing collections that adapt to current luxury trends – is, by its very nature, a fast-response system that encourages disposability and therefor embodies unsustainability. Realizing that production is for the short term, it is odd to see that long-lasting damage is caused to the planet. But more important, what are the alternatives? Sparked by curiosity a research was born and on this page you will be able to follow my search for ethical alternatives. |
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experience |
Over the past four years I have gained insight in the fashion industry and have developed a number of technical and designing skills, which I am eager to further develop. I interned at MKDT, a small high-end label in Copenhagen (DK) where I expanded my pattern drawing skills. I turned sketches into toiles and later final pieces varying from sales collection to haute couture dresses.
Also I had the chance to gain more insight in the fashion industry whilst being part of generation 20 of iNDiViDUALS, a collective of 27 changing students that together form the high-end womenswear brand. During my role of being both visual- and sustainability manager, I worked closely together with branders and managers and experienced that I am a loyal team player, able to bridge gaps, have a talent for motivating the team, am wel organized, reliable, have overview and work professionally. |
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COLLABS |
In order to come up with solutions I believe it is important to join forces and start collaborations between different disciplines. I am currently working together with Arthur Bezuijen, a chemical analyst in the wetlab of the Waag Society to explore the pigment producing qualities of bacteria and its opportunities for textile design.
I am always looking for new collaborations! Also for other thoughts, questions, tips, please feel free to get in touch with me; [email protected] |
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