Using up wasted resources has been a very prevalent issue for me later. I applied this to part of my Spring 2010 collection by using some fabrics that my factory was going to throw out. This was good for me as they had some fantastic fabrics that weren’t being used. This was good for them as it freed up some space and avoid wasting their initial investment. The only people it didn’t help were those who manufacture new fabrics.

Now that the show is over and I’m almost back to normal, I’ve been playing around with leftover fabrics and trims at my own studio. I have a terrible habit of never throwing anything away for fear that I might one day need it. This makes for a very crowded apartment, but allows for a lot more creativity.

Last week I tackled my local zipper supplier. I have ordered zippers from them for years. Usually I keep the original length but occasionally I ask them to cut them down to to a specific size. So I asked them what happens to the zipper ends that get cut off. They are thrown away! Not on my watch! Not when perfectly good cuffs, necklaces and beads can be made from the leftover.  So now we have a deal.  The supplier saves all the ends for me, and I pay him a sum for the large bag of goodies I get each week. Win-win for everyone, especially the lucky recipients of the necklaces I’ve been making with my bag of zippers!