How can designers relate nature to their industry? Stepping out into the world and seeing nature is something that many people don’t often do. Sure, we walk out side and look around, but do we actually SEE the environment around us? Could you draw an extremely detailed sketch of your own front door? How can we open our eyes and actually see the world around us? By relating our personal lives to the nature around us, we are able to think deeper and, in a way, use biomimicry in our day-to-day lives. The group outdoor activity was very eye opening and helped me realize how we often forget that nature is very relatable to our industry and our every day lives. It was also a great reminder for me to SEE the world around me, not just look around and pass on by.

This week we were able to watch the LOLA show in class. There was a company that I found very intriguing that tries to close the loop for their business in California called Domestic Stencil Works. They use simple tools that they fabricate themselves, like stencils, coffee, carrots, IPA beer, and several other methods, to create their products. They print t-shirts, cards, and artwork, paying close attention to the small details. They are an ECO centric company by supporting local businesses, using recycled materials for paper, making their own dyes from natural sources, and actively searching out many new techniques to better their products and make them longer lasting. One thing I found interesting about this company was that they do not use any industrial heaters and they have zero waste from chemical discharge. They do a great job trying to close the loop for their company and they have an obvious passion for sustainability. I admire the craftsmanship that this father/son duo put into their beautiful, graphic art.

Reformation is another company that was introduced to me this week during the LOLA show that uses sustainability as the driving force for their business. Their slogan is, “We make killer clothes that don’t kill the environment.” They bring the issue of pollution and waste to a forefront on their website by stating:

“Did you know fashion is the third most polluting industry in the world? Every year, around eighty billion garments are produced worldwide, and they leave an enormous environmental footprint. The global production of all textile fibers consumes 1 trillion gallons of water, 33 trillion gallons of oil, and 20 billion pounds of chemicals annually.”

Reformation is quite literally a reformation in the apparel industry by considering the cost of creating fashion, and they don’t just consider the price tag. They use a RefScale that tracks their environmental footprint by totaling the pounds of carbon dioxide emitted and the gallons of water that they use and compare it to most of the clothes bought in the U.S. They follow the lifecycle of their clothes and share this info on every product available to purchase. As well as trying to make better clothing, they also give back to the environment in the form of offsets by planting plants in forests to naturally capture CO2 from the air and invest in clean water solutions. All of their products are made in house and for the most part, one of a kind. They are not mass-produced and some of their products are made from vintage clothing or deadstock fabrics that would otherwise be disposed of. They try to source their products locally, however about ½ of their suppliers are in China and India. It is their goal/hope to one day be able to purchase all of their goods locally vs. overseas.