Zero Hero

This anorak is about to start a lot of zero-to-hero jokes. What makes it so special, you say? It's more than just a really chic wool jacket with nice details. It's a zero-waste garment - Loomstate's FIRST EVER! The zero waste process is a new innovative approach to pattern-making to ensure no waste is produced. In a course taught by Timo Rissanen, assistant professor of Fashion Design and Sustainability at Parsons The New School for Design and expert in zero waste design, a handful of students explored different ways of designing with zero waste. Loomstate's own Scott Mackinlay-Hahn and Rogan Gregory served as mentors on the project, educating students on sourcing, dyeing, finishing, and energy consumption of organic denim. 

Back in February, Parsons showcased finalist designs that fit the requirements of zero waste at the end of the course, and one design was chosen to be produced and sold. Designer and recent Parsons grad Andria Crescioni, who you've seen documenting her zero-waste journey, figured out a way to construct this anorak using every inch of the fabric, and was guided by Hahn and Gregory all the way to the garment's production. 

Because Andria's original design and prototypes were created on a different fabric (muslin and denim), she, the Loomstate production team and the factory here in NYC had to work together to create a new pattern that fits with the fabric they wanted to use. The rope and leather tab finishes were salvaged from the factory floor. An extremely limited quantity of only TEN were produced! 

The Journey of the Zero-Waste Anorak

It began with an idea, a sketch...

Image by Andria

Andria created a muslin prototype...

that became a zero-waste denim anorak sample...

pictured above: Andria by her garment with Scott Mackinlay-Hahn, Parsons Dean Simon Collins, and Rogan Gregory

that became a final production sample with alteration notes...

...that became the actual zero-waste anorak!

Loomstate is so proud and excited to finally launch our first ever zero-waste garment, and to do so with such great collaborators as Parsons and Andria Crescioni, who is always looking for new sustainable approaches and is currently working with a Peruvian non-profit on a collection. 

The anorak is now available for pre-order exclusively at Loomstate.org and the ROGAN Store at 330 Bowery NYC.

Check out Andria's site, Timo's blog, the Parsons site, and our posts on the zero-waste process.