SPRING CLEANING IN THE CLOSET!

Art has the perfect solution to the problem of ‘what would happen’ to the clothes, items in the closet that are no longer being used as the seasons change. Jörn Fröchlich, Lecturer, Department of Fashion and Textile Design, Faculty of Fine Arts and Design, Izmir University of Economics (IUE), created new designs with waste materials including curtains, towels, table clothes, jackets, artificial flowers, jewelry, etc. and pointed out to the importance of recycling. Fröchlich designed more than 20 items of wild western wear in his creation titled, “Spring Cleaning”. His designs will be on display at Agora Shopping Mall on December 23.

Fröchlich stated that many items we wear out quickly or no longer use pile up.  “We’ve become a consumer society. We use many of the items once or twice and toss aside. We need to do spring cleaning sometimes. I wanted to make a point about recycling and show that we can create new and stylish products out of waste materials,” said Fröchlich.

‘Costumes using waste materials’

Fröchlich, who said that he worked with Asst. Prof. Dr. Dilek Himam Er and Research Assistant Elif Tekcan (both from IUE Department of Fashion and Textile Design), stated that he came up with brand new designs using curtains, towels, jackets, dresses, artificial flowers, socks, and waste fabrics which could be used as costumes. Fröchlich reported that he combined different colors and designed more like wild western wear style. He said that they designed hats to go with the costumes as well with Er and Tekcan. He also said that their project aimed to prove that by using and combining waste fabrics that were no longer being used for any reason, new and different looks could be achieved and that they wanted to instill the idea of saving again.