CADIABELANTE

I am C A D I A B E L A N T E a Melbourne based fashion designer whose label of the same name focuses on sustainable clothing production. The label was created in response to the increasing volume of already produced materials and the rate at which these materials are becoming landfill.

I propose to develop ways to re-circulate these consumable items, and at the same time reduce waste. The discovery of large quantities of surplus sleeping bags in second hand stores was an initial catalyst for my exploration into the possibility of re-purposing within fashion design. I began to collect interesting but obsolete items to experiment with, and have since discovered potential for items that would otherwise remain unused, or be thrown away.

Within my work I often question my role as a designer in addressing the issue of consumption in the urban environment and the role of social design centered on post consumer waste. Being concerned with the urban environment in terms of more individuals living and moving into the city and the effect this is going to have, not only on design but the way I design.

Throughout my design process I strive to respond to the qualities of the sleeping bags harmonizing varying degrees of deconstruction and
re-engineering respecting the integrity of the original item to create new garment forms. Each piece is handmade and one of a kind.

I have studied and completed a Bachelor of Design (Fashion) at RMIT and the collection of sleeping bags became the primary resource used within my final year of practice and graduate collection.