Conscious cloth

Technologists' Practice	November 2011
Textiles Technology / Design in Technology	YEARS 9-13

Cover image of case study

Miranda Brown: Conscious cloth
Sustainable and environmentally friendly business practices are some of the most important issues facing industry today as awareness of diminishing resources and the long-term impacts of industry on the environment increases. Conscious Cloth is an Auckland-based fashion label that uses sustainable business practices to produce high-quality women's living wear with an environmental aesthetic. This case study takes a look at the philosophy behind this sustainable fashion label and how this is manifested in sustainable business practices, both in the management of the company and in producing a fashion collection.
Focus points include:	Additional Support Material:
Characteristics of Technological Outcomes Understanding that technological outcomes are a resolution of form and functional priorities Context specific Technological Skills and Knowledge Constructing a textiles product Understanding of sustainability in design	Miranda Brown: www.mirandabrown.co.nz Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS): www.imo.ch/imo_services_textile_gots_en.html Product Lifecycle: www.freeonlineresearchpapers.com/product-life-cycle Sustainability: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jORau0V62c Cradle-to-cradle design: www.thetimes100.co.uk/case-study--extending-product-life-cycle--6-301-2.php
Teaching activities
Discussion starters (Years 12-13) Discuss the following terminology in relation to the manufacture of textile products: Sustainability; Life-cycle analysis; Cradle-to-cradle design Discuss the relationship between lifecycle analysis, design innovation and a sustainable textile technology Discuss the competing priorities and compromises made as a result of lifecycle analysis when developing a sustainable textile technology