UNDERTAKEN ANY SUSTAINABILITY
EDUCATION OR TRAINING? Yes: Online Short Course Fashion Values: Economy (FUTURE LEARN ONLINE)

YOUR PERSONAL PROFILE AND MOTIVATIONS
IN APPLYING TO THE CHALLENGE:
I am a 32 years-old fashion designer from Paraguay who embarked in the journey of sustainability in 2020 after not only studying fashion design but also working within the industry where I learned about a variety of businesses models that I felt don’t answer to the problems we face today.

When I started my brand project called DEIV/BASSEN I opted for an alternative production model in response to my previous experiences in brands making fast-fashion and also made-to-measure. I felt non of them were fit for what I was looking for, so I started to pin the pros and cons of both very popular businesses models and at the same time I began researching about other methodologies I could rely on to create garment in a more conscious way.

This is where I discovered the MADE-TO-ORDER process. I felt this method was enabling me to have more control and knowledge about the use of raw materials, costs and energy spent per garment as well as it allowed me to focus on quality over quantity. Eventually, this method made me pay more attention to the culture of consumerism and how both consumer and producer have an equal role to play in the journey of balance and sustainability.

In Paraguay I became one (if not the first) to propose the MADE-TO-ORDER process for a casual-wear brand leading me to win the National Prize for Emerging Designer in 2021.

That same year I had the chance to work hand-in-hand with artisans from my country in a Contest called A + D ( Design and Craftsmanship by its initials in Spanish) and learned through the craftswomen about the processes of making hand-made textiles with ancient techniques that interestingly are closely linked to the new practices we need to approach to change the path of the fashion industry. Working with Rosa, Maximira, Jazmín and Sara made me more confident about my decision to keep researching on paraguayan textiles and the history of fashion as I believe that as a paraguayan and latin designer I need to understand the past of my country in order to construct its present and future.

I believe this Challenge is a great opportunity for me to present the project to new people outside Paraguay and exchange experiences and knowledge about sustainability in different parts of the world, how we approach sustainability having on account our situation, geography, culture. I feel that with the mentoring program I will connect with professionals that understand the many nuances of creating new production processes as unfortunately in my country it is difficult to find people that can fully understand the complexity of sustainable fashion.