Muses Fashion Collective - youth education - gender equality

The Musas Coletivo de Moda cultural project was awarded the Nodgi Pellizzetti Prize for Cultural Incentive in 2020 and was implemented in the first half of 2021. It was written by Proposta Verde, which has been developing cultural projects in various areas such as design, creative economy, and fashion, as a means of transforming its local community.

The goal of Musas is to contribute to the collective appreciation and strengthening of people working in the field of culture, such as fashion, by providing opportunities for the exchange of knowledge that values ​​original production, prioritizing the alignment of creations with the principles of sustainable development.

The team selection was made through the dissemination of the project on social media and analysis of submitted portfolios. Eight applications were received, and two professionals were selected. Jéssica da Silva, 26 years old, graduated in Fashion Design from the Federal Institute of Ibirama SC. Currently works as a Social Media Manager. Fabiana Bertoldi, 42 years old, graduated in Fashion Design from Anhembi Morumbi University in São Paulo-SP, Founder of PLANTAE @useplantae in 2018, a brand of shoes and accessories made from natural fibers such as cattail and banana leaves, working with groups of artisans and cooperatives.

Weekly meetings were held from January to March. Prior to the in-person meetings, research was conducted on fashion trends and references. Each designer then wrote a text outlining the message their collection intended to convey, as a way to contextualize the creation within the current historical moment.

A visit was made to the Denim Zero factory, a local company that donates production surplus for the creation of the collection. According to Sinfiatec (Union of Spinning, Weaving, Clothing and Apparel Industries of the Upper Itajaí Valley), which represents the category in the region, Rio do Sul has approximately 1,700 workers employed in factories in the city. Adding the nearby municipalities, the number of industries is almost 700, of which 450 work with jeans. “We collect the waste through a partner company, which separates the residues by type [knit, jeans, synthetic] and they are all sent for recycling. Part is reused and another part goes to the automotive industry. Only the minimum is discarded,” explains the executive secretary of Sinfiatec, Luciane Pereira. These actions for the correct disposal of waste have been taking place for four years, according to the secretary, and encompass about 48 companies in the 28 cities of the Upper Itajaí Valley that make up Sinfiatec. “Companies receive a declaration of proper disposal, and if you analyze the entire scope of the Union, imagine how much waste is generated. So this is a very big concern for our organization. The concern for the environment is very great, because we have to think about the future,” he emphasized.

For the creation process, a 4-hour in-person meeting was held for the collective construction of the visual panel, definition of the pieces, drawings, and delivery of materials (waste) for the production of the prototypes.

For the piloting, components such as buckles, straps, pendants, and shoe heels were produced using reclaimed wood in the Proposta Verde carpentry workshop, following ecodesign principles.

The entire collection was made from leftover denim and wood. Manual techniques such as weaving, braiding, and basketry were used in the production of the pieces.

With all 12 pieces of the collection completed, a photo shoot was held at Proposta Verde. Photographer Alice Shotten was selected through application and portfolio submission.

By piecing together the fragments of ourselves and the world, we created a line of fashion accessories that expresses the poetry of hands and the beauty of uniting pieces and emotions. The Fragments Collection, based on ecodesign and the principles of sustainable development, values ​​local resources (human and material); strengthens local culture; utilizes waste reintegration; stimulates the local economy; and promotes education for sustainability.

To see all 12 pieces in the collection, you can visit our Instagram profile where we shared the entire process as it unfolded. The pieces in the collection can be ordered. Brands wishing to support us are also welcome. We invite you to follow us at @musas_coletivodemoda.