Study NY
CASE STUDY
Created by Redress
STUDY NY
“Making Fashion without Making Waste”
Study NY is a New York-based ready-to-wear womenswear brand started by designer Tara StJames in 2009. This contemporary label has conceptual design and sustainability as core values. They use environmentally and socially responsibly sourced materials such as certified organic cotton, handwoven alpaca textiles from Peru and recycled brass beads, as well as having their production facility based in New York City.
In this case study, you will learn about an approach to zero-waste design as well as a non-conventional way of production.
Image credit: Study NY
Image credit: Study NY
Image credit: Study NY
Textile waste from garment manufacturing is a major concern of the brand with their mission to “Making Fashion without Making Waste”, and the zero-waste pattern cutting technique has been an approach adopted by Study NY since their very first collection.
Some of their designs are barely cut at all. For example, this square dress design is essentially a square piece of cloth with groups of buttons placed strategically along the four edges.
Some of their designs are barely cut at all. For example, this square dress design is essentially a square piece of cloth with groups of buttons placed strategically along the four edges.
Some of their designs are barely cut at all. For example, this square dress design is essentially a square piece of cloth with groups of buttons placed strategically along the four edges.
Styling versatility contributes to the garment’s useability and longevity. It allows the customer to wear the piece in multiple ways to suit different occasions, such as a halter dress, a strapless dress and a skirt.
Styling versatility contributes to the garment’s useability and longevity. It allows the customer to wear the piece in multiple ways to suit different occasions, such as a halter dress, a strapless dress and a skirt.
Styling versatility contributes to the garment’s useability and longevity. It allows the customer to wear the piece in multiple ways to suit different occasions, such as a halter dress, a strapless dress and a skirt.
They also have a non-conventional approach to production in order to create less fashion waste. Rather than producing seasonal, trend-led collections in line with the rest of the industry, instead they release one capsule collection of three to four styles per month, every month of the year with each capsule differing in design, but in harmony with the other capsules. This approach has helped the label to strengthen their relationship with their customers through regular and direct contact while providing a steady workflow to their garment production workers.
In recognition of their work, in 2011 Study NY was awarded the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation Grant for sustainable design, and in 2014 were awarded runner-up in the CFDA/Lexus Eco Fashion Challenge.