Page 49 - TEXtalks. January-February 2023

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KNIT COUTURE

upcycling project

Fashion design students at Reutlingen University breathe new

life into historic STOLL knitting patterns.

Bo Michael Kristoffersen

Selfesque” collection by Kirsten Hippmann and Klara Mahn Tails of the forest” collection by Karina Gaus

Müller, 3D designer at STOLL. context, thereby giving them a new value. The young
creatives developed mood boards, colour, and modern upcycling can look through using smocking techniques, layering, crimping, and
Cooperating with the best collection concepts, and subsequently extended street-style-inspired outfits. Their designs not only embroidery.
STOLL is an industry leader in flat knitting machine them into a compilation of at least ten different looks. reflect knitted STOLL patterns but also include their
technology and has a wide range of knitted The final piece included four outfits with two real-life packing materials. In this case, novel knitwear Bilgen Colak also focuses on nature with her work
swatches, as well as in-shape and seamless knitted models and two digital 3D simulations. These creations have been combined with filled plastic “Contamination”. With polluted and deconstructed
garment products that make the possibilities afforded resultant diverse creations breathed new life into puffer garments. As such, both designers are making models, she is creatively denouncing the current
by flat knitting technology tactile. Regular trend STOLL’s historic knitting patterns. a statement that no material is beyond upcycling. environmental and marine pollution. To do so, she
collections constantly symbolize new technological
possibilities. Turning old into new and beyond Packaging also inspired Kirsten Hippmann and Klara distorted knitting patterns that were originally
Lisa Bassot, for example, wants to appeal to a young Mahn to create their “Selfesque” collection. The colourful using dyeing techniques and foil printing to
Reutlingen University was recently named as Top target audience with her “Old is the new new” students stuffed real waste material with cut-up visualize how nature is being contaminated.
University in Baden-Württemberg by the rating portal collection, featuring a modern design language. She knitting pattern snippets and used them to make
Study-Check. It is second in the national rankings for is focusing on youngsters who want to get to grips corsages and a cape. They also used excess yarn to Sophia Heinisch refers to current social issues in her
universities of applied sciences. As part of their with the production, personalization, and possible develop new knitting patterns on the university’s own collection, including the latest women’s movement in
fashion design studies, the students at combinations of their clothes. Lisa Bassot wants to Iran, and demands upholding human rights.
Old is the new new” collection by Lisa Bassot Break the system - collection by Janna Sautter and Özgenur Kesimal STOLL warp knitting machine. The new creations
TEXOVERSUM in Reutlingen focus on future issues encourage people to wear clothes for several years were combined with historical pattern pieces, satin, “Through my ‘CHANGE.org’ collection, I want to pay
Close cooperation between educational institutions Both the supervising professor Natalie Seng and facing the fashion industry, such as sustainability and and to value their wardrobes. These outfits – made borders, and feather accessories. tribute and express my admiration to those who are
and industry is vital in today’s world: they can inspire project partners at STOLL have been impressed by digitization, where there are conflicts between from what already exists – stand out thanks to their courageous enough to stand up and fight for a better
young students to new ideas, offer them future the students’ creative achievements. “The works are handicrafts and consumer society. creativity: knitted trousers were stuffed and knotted In contrast, Karina Gaus placed nature at the very future,” says Sophia Heinisch. Her collection
opportunities and awaken new passions. With this in evidence of extraordinary creativity and diversity. It is into novel tops. Tops were turned into a multi-layered heart of her collection: “Tails of the forest”. The represents empowerment: the courage to express
mind, the KNIT COUTURE upcycling project was not a given that students in the 3rd semester are A lens on sustainability skirt with lacing, and two jumpers were transformed budding designer explains that she believes nature is oneself freely and individually. With skilled
initiated between STOLL – part of the KARL MAYER already able to demonstrate such creative The joint KNIT COUTURE project also primarily into accessories. a magical place that needs to be protected. craftsmanship, she has combined different
GROUP – and the TEXOVERSUM Faculty of Textiles achievement. We are excited to see how the students focused on the topic of sustainability. A total of 13 Stylistically, she was inspired by fairy-tale creatures. techniques, such as patchwork, crochet,
at Reutlingen University as part of the 3rd semester will develop throughout their studies and of course students were asked to draw inspiration from Group work by Janna Sautter and Özgenur Kesimal
for fashion design. Both partners are leading the way hope that we have been able to spark an interest in historical knitting patterns by STOLL and to create also demonstrates a feel for current trends: The two As part of her collection, she transformed a variety of screen-printing, and classic pattern construction, to
in their industry. The results are clear to see. flat knitting as part of this project,” says Ellen Judith new looks that brought old materials into a modern designers’ “Break the System” collection reflects how STOLL knitting patterns into fantastic new creatures create expressive models.

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