MASTERCLASS

Masterclass at NIF Global, South Mumbai
Title: Fabric Dictates the Design – A Zero-Waste Approach
Duration: 2 Days | 5 Hours per Day

I recently had the opportunity to conduct a two-day intensive masterclass at NIF Global’s vibrant South Mumbai campus. Titled “Fabric Dictates the Design – A Zero-Waste Approach”, the session invited students to rethink their approach to design by starting not with sketches, but with fabric limitations.

The challenge was simple yet deeply thought-provoking: design and construct a garment using just 2 meters of fabric—1 meter of muslin and 1 meter of a woven fabric of their choice. The catch? Every piece of fabric had to be used. Nothing could be wasted.

Over two immersive days, students explored how constraints could serve as catalysts for creativity. They learned to listen to the fabric, letting its properties and limitations guide form, function, and silhouette. The exercise offered a real-time experience in sustainable design thinking, pushing participants to innovate responsibly and rethink conventional processes.

This masterclass was more than a technical exercise; it was a mindset shift. By engaging with zero-waste principles in a hands-on format, students walked away with a deeper understanding of sustainable practices and a greater appreciation for resourceful, fabric-led design.

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