Reconstructing Waste Fabric Pieces Into Fashionable Garments and Accessories for the Ghanaian Consumer

Abstract

This study explores the up-cycling possibilities of using left over pieces from local fashion houses that are not put into other end uses due to their relatively small sizes. The study, therefore, experiments with these waste materials by converting them into fashionable garments and accessories for the Ghanaian consumer as a way of curbing challenges associated with fabric waste management. The study employs fashion studio-based research approach by undertaking explorative research process in executing the works. Innovative exploration was used in converting waste fabrics especially African prints pieces into creating meaningful garments and accessories. The results of the study revealed a wide-range possibility of creating fashionable garments and accessories from these waste fabrics. The study identified that when pieces of this nature are properly arranged in term of colour, motif size and fabric weight and used in production of fashion related items, its acceptability and marketability prospects as revealed from the test conducted is as good as using any other fabric in garment production while extremely smaller pieces that cannot be crafted into any product on their own can be shredded and used as batting in quilt and other crafts. The study serve as means of reducing fabric waste that mainly end up in the landfills while it provides means for the young designers to produce creative and innovative designs from what otherwise might end up in the landfills.