The birth of Post:Modern and Eco-Investigations

What's Post:Modern? (or perhaps the question should be 'what is NETS?')
Hello all, designer Ange here. You might have seen mention of the 'NETS' project on our homepage for the last month. What is this you say? Well, it's a really exciting international project between the University of Cumbria, ANU School of Art and University of Turku in Finland, where creatives linked to the three universities are exploring the concept of NETS and NETWURKS. There will be exhibitions across the three countries and possibly other features as well. You can read more about the NETS project and see discussions and outcomes from those involved in the project at the NETWURKS blog on Wordpress : http://netwurks.wordpress.com.

We at GingerBread are really excited to be taking part in NETS, and are in the process of designing and producing our 2010-11 collection inspired by this theme. I have chosen to interpret the 'NETS' theme as communication in the form of letters (an almost ironic interpretation, given some of project is about networking online!). So expect to see a collection of hats incorporating the soft colours of aged, cherished letters, with the occasional dabble in vivid reds (stamps of course!) and inky blues. I've scanned in a page or two of my inspiration for the collection to get your brains ticking on how I might be infusing these starting points into designs:)

And of course where would a collection be without a good name. Chris has come up with the delightful title of 'Post:Modern' for the this collection. So look out for future mention of Post:Modern as we build up to its release in Autumn 2010!

Eco-stuff
I also mentioned Eco-investigations in the title of this post. I hold eco-friendly design very dear to my heart, and am very keen to build on the initial steps taken in the Level-Headed collection. I've also recently read the book Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things (by Michael Braungart and William McDonough - a very good read - I recommend it!) and been greatly inspired by this as well to go even further with eco-friendly design in GingerBread.
Since I am learning more about making felt hats through the lovely Kensington and Chelsea College at the moment, I thought it would a good opportunity to look at turning the felt hat production process in an 'eco-effective' process (read the Cradle to Cradle book to understand what eco-effective means!). So far I've discovered it's much, much easier to say/write this than it is to actually do! Thus, frustratingly, I think it's going to take a while to implement this approach (I am determined to stick at it though and see it through!). I've also had some amazing help so far on this from the designers behind MIO Soft Bowls (pictured), Parkin Fabrics and Annie Sherburne. I've been busy lately so haven't had the opportunity to thank them - so if you're reading this please note my appreciation for your inputs!


I've also recently read about the British Fashion Council's Estethica - what an amazing and fantastic initiative. From what I have read, they support designers who use eco-friendly approaches and/or fair trading in producing their designs. It's great to see this kind of support is out there:)

Coming up for Post:Modern
I will put more sneak peeks of the Post:Modern collection both on here and the NETWURKS blog as the collection develops. Chris will also be posting updates about the upcoming Catwalk London event we will be holding to promote and kick off the release of Post:Modern. There will be opportunities to get involved in the Catwalk, so stayed tuned for those.

Learning to create (more) eco-friendly products - help!
I've mentioned developing processes for GB to be more eco-friendly is going to be hard work. Therefore, if anyone has any thoughts or suggestions (or wishes to discuss) eco processes, particularity in relation to sourcing and producing felt for hats and dyeing processes, please feel free to drop me a line at ange@gingerbreadstudios.co.uk or comment here.

That's all for now.

Ange xx