Creative Design: Undergraduate

Times Square

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Abstract

About 25 million square meters or about 10,000 tons of billboard fabric waste is generated annually in the U.S. Since billboard vinyl is specifically designed to withstand harsh outdoor weather conditions, upcycling billboard vinyl when it reaches its intended end of life can create incredibly durable apparel products, limit landfill waste, and reduce pollution. The Times Square dress was created with the desire to reduce the amount of vinyl waste that ends up in landfills by giving vinyl a second life to create highly durable and one-of-a-kind streetwear. The Times Square dress takes inspiration from 1960s styles, specifically the paper dresses, the space race, and mod styles. The A-line silhouette and color blocking take the unique properties of vinyl and transform the wearer into an advertisement, much like Times Square itself. Invisible zippers on the sides of the dress give the wearer adjustable slits for easier movement and air flow.

Keywords: alternative materials, sustainability, repurpose, billboard

How to Cite:

Biritz, L. & Smith, C., (2024) “Times Square”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 80(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17165