The ideology of IQTEST garments..
In looking at the potentials beyond the original purpose, IQ Test sees lots of resources exist, not wastes. The fabric IQTEST uses is what the mass producing designers throw away. Building a collection around this raw material is not “easy” and actually extremely labor intensive!..
Melissa Lockwood also participated in DanceHackit 2011 providing clothing for the NY LaunchPad! This is an excerpt from a review originally published at Brooklyn Fashion Gallery- read more here For her Brooklyn Fashion Film Festival Submission Melissa takes us inside a garment factory! Login to The Member Only Viewing area and enjoy her 7 minute feature
Melissa believe in zero waste production… and that factories with a small initial effort , can maximize their waste and can keep fabrics out of landfills! To prove her point she started “Dumpster Diving” and collecting fabrics, she has since moved on to organized collection from factories! And hopes to start a non-profit in that light!
IQTEST also works to inform the public about the waste and encourage reform. IQTEST creates environmentally friendly one of a kind wearable art!
De Fragmenting style
Genre
Fashion, Multidisciplinary Artist
Niche-
Green, Eco-sustainable- Wearable art, one of a Kind, hand crafted,
Style/Silhouette
Williamsburg Chic- Minimalist, meets storyteller, At first glance the lines are deceptively minimalistic but Melissa does a lot of soft tailoring within the confines of her Mandate… zero waste!
The Fine points
Melisa creates a canvas from the fabrics, and her color story is “non- discriminatory which in itself is contrary to current industry practice. Work with what you get… and still keep it harmonious… her collection is in harmony with the environment, wearer and the pieces meld in to the landscape that is urban-life! She offers Jackets, Dresses, leggings, capes, tops, skirts.
Fit
softly deconstructed tailoring, lean..
Fabrication
Whatever is delivered!
Finish-
Over-locked, or” naked” edged, Hand painting or handmade stencils, salvaged trim
Technique
Zero waste production, Slow design, had applique, hand painting, soft draping, hand stencils
Price point;-
Melissa’s work is hand crafted, Recycling and up-cycling is labor intensive , but she also adds Hand drawn imagery and messages into her pieces Extremely reasonable labor intensive!
Available for
Exhibitions, Installations, Limited editions to Boutiques, Direct to consumer
By the end of my review on Melissa Lockwood, a sustainable clothing designer in Brooklyn for I had gained a new respect for her talent, and come to the conclusion that
“Clothing becomes fashion when it is relevant to our times, Art when it challenges us to look within ourselves!”… Bonnie Sandy
