How can a textile object be ‘reborn’ into a different shape or size, losing its original context or purpose and be reincarnated into a new garment?

Reincarnation explores future models for the fashion industry with a view to environmental impact and social responsibility. This project, developed by third-semester fashion design students explores the intersection of sustainability, creativity, and innovation in fashion. The students transformed discarded hotel linens, specifically bed sheets and towels, into upcycled garments. They partnered with Admiral, an industrial laundry company for the sourcing and Vintage Revivals, a vintage and second-hand clothing brand for the distribution.

The assignment embraces a circular approach to fashion by repurposing materials that would otherwise become downcycled into cleaning products. Textiles sourced from Admiral’s industrial laundries form the foundation of each piece, challenging the traditional lifecycle in fashion production. Through creative design and craftsmanship, these once-overlooked fabrics are repurposed. The students also incorporate natural, plant-based dyes to further reduce the environmental impact of the project.

The collection is diverse, featuring a variety of design styles, from minimalist to experimental, each piece celebrating the beauty of imperfection and the potential of re-used materials. This project highlights the importance of responsible consumption and demonstrates that sustainable fashion can be both innovative and accessible.Beyond its environmental focus, the project also emphasizes social responsibility. All profits from the sale of the garments were donated to the Berlin-based charity Bahnhofsmission Berlin-Zoologischer Garten, ensuring that the impact of this initiative extends beyond fashion studies to support the local community. In collaboration with Vintage Revivals Berlin Mitte, these upcycled designs were available for purchase, providing consumers with a direct way to support sustainable fashion while contributing to a meaningful cause.

This project is more than just a design exercise; it is a model for how the fashion industry can evolve, embracing sustainability, circularity, ethical consumption and social responsibility. Consumers who chose to support this initiative not only engage in more sustainable fashion but also become active contributors to a larger movement for a responsible, eco-friendly future in fashion.

Prof. Wowo Kraus, KM Johanna Braun, Stefan Hipp (Schnitt), Julia Kunz (Färberei und Siebdruck), Dorothée Warning (Fertigung)