Creative Design: Graduate

Re:Paradox

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Abstract

Using the Cradle to Cradle Apparel Design approach, the design, Re:Paradox, was created to challenge how to circle back non-biodegradable plastic bag waste into upcycled non-woven textiles through heat-fusing and pleating technique. Various design approaches such as 3D simulation, digital textile printing, heat-fusing, and pleating were used to execute the design intent. With upcycling non-biodegradable plastic bag waste to the new material, color contrast, and distorted textile print, this dress visually portrays the paradox of plastics, encompassing both negative and positive impacts on humans and other living beings. Simultaneously, the pleated surface design and upcycled textiles themselves symbolize a “re-paradox” of plastics by transforming plastic waste into new textiles. The techniques integrated to create this design offer insights into developing a new type of upcycled textiles using non-biodegradable plastic waste. This design offers valuable insights for apparel/textile designers and manufacturers to use this upcycled textile in the wearable product development.

Keywords: non-biodegradable plastic waste, upcycling, heat-fusing, heat-pleating

How to Cite:

Yoo, H. & Lee, Y., (2025) “Re:Paradox”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18614