Pattern Project – The future of shopping

For the fashion industry to become more sustainable, we need to find new ways of shopping. This is why I’m always excited to see innovative initiatives that support a more conscious way of consuming. Like Pattern Project, a South-London start-up that has just this last month launched a trial low-emission pop-up clothing micro-factory shop downstairs at The Department Store, in Brixton. With the aim of encouraging, promoting and facilitating a future of local, low-emission clothing manufacturing, the initiative operates with no pre-made stock to eliminate over-production. This in turn allows for more customisation and custom fitting, which is not possible in a traditional retail shop. Instead, fashion enthusiasts can bring or choose their fabrics, pick out customisable designs and then have them cut and sewn right in-store live, or ready for pick up at a later date.

Founded by Shruti Grover and Simon Johnson, Pattern Project makes locally-made, custom clothing affordable, with on-demand cutting robots, (The project has developed a low-emission, lightweight machine (PP-cutter) and software) and sew-it-yourself stations. Designers involved include Phoebe English, Katie Roberts-Wood, Sophie Hawkins, Isabel Fletcher, Tina Gorjanc and Needle+Cloth. And the end goal? To transform the current manufacturing system, by reducing emissions, miles on clothes and preventing excess production. As well as to bring manufacturing into the store and onto high streets to provide a new retail experience without sacrificing sustainability. With recently received funding from London Mayor’s programme: Designing London’s Recovery they are set to open a store on the high street for 2 months in late summer we will be there to check it out in the meantime they will be selling through their website – http://www.pattern-project.com

Written by Lupe Castro

Photography courtesy of Pattern Project

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