ERASMUS+ FASHION-UP Project – Latest trends and green orientations for more eco-sustainable fashion: Focus Group at Spazio Nota

On 15 April 2024, the field research action of the FASHION-UP took place at Spazio Nota (Nuova Officina Toscana Artigianato) aimed at experts in the fashion sector to discover the latest trends for Fashion Up-cycling.

On 15 April 2024, OMA - Osservatorio Mestieri d'Arte and Centro Machiavelli organized at Spazio NOTA-Nuova Officina Toscana Artigianato, the space for training in the artistic professions of fashion in the Oltrarno Fiorentino area, the Focus Group part of the action of research foreseen by the FASHION-UP project (Erasmus+ KA220 Cooperation Partnership in VET).

The Focus Group is part of the broader preliminary research provided by the project to frame a fashion that is more attentive to issues of environmental sustainability and the circular economy which sees, in the techniques for fashion up-cycling , an interesting starting point for development and enrichment for the artisan tailoring sector.

With five experts - such as designers, professional tailors, or representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises (ateliers) - the research group analyzed some key issues relating to the state of the art of the artisan tailoring market and its growth and development prospects. of starting a business with an eye towards the potential that can be expressed by a greener and more environmentally friendly attitude. The attention towards quality raw materials and/or with a sustainable supply chain, the importance of the recovery and creative reuse of textile waste or clothes no longer in use as well as the high specialization and technical mastery necessary for the creation of new garments were the core of the group discussion. The experts provided useful suggestions and indications for the creation of the training contents that will be developed in the original FASHION-UP training proposal, aimed at training future artisan tailoring professionals, specialized in up-cycling.