Social Catwalk

Social Catwalk – Fashion for Integration

In the last winter semester we started with Upcycling Fashion as a project for integration and as a conclusion we organized a fashion show in January in the Neue Denkerei in front of many spectators. In the summer semester, the project is now also competing for the German Integration Prize under the title “ContiUnity – Social Catwalk”. We are therefore looking forward to welcoming many new students from all faculties in order to win there and at the same time make progress with the project. We have chosen the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm as the theme for the design processes. In parallel running seminars students who are interested in film and animation will also work with the fairy tale theme. For a final presentation, a total work of art will be created from all three areas.

Clothes that people make don’t have to be expensive! The consultation about the external appearance can be an access to people in difficult life situations. How a person sees himself or herself is essentially determined by how he or she is seen by others. Many young people in Germany but also those who come to us as fugitives orient themselves in their clothing style to role models from the film and music industry. In their own social media channels, this self-image is shared with the public and in turn evaluated by them. The effects on one’s own identity and external appearance can lead to misunderstandings and misjudgements in communication with other people. Working with one’s own style, one’s external appearance, is therefore an important form of work for selfimage and self-esteem.

The aim of this workshop is to use up-cycling of vintage clothes as an integration project. The idea development is done in teamwork of students and refugees. Sewing groups from refugee have agreed to participate. It is about starting communication about working together and creating a different fashion product. Invited are students from all faculties who would like to get involved in the field of fashion and integration. In a factory, agency or simply in a workroom, communication between different personalities is the A & O. Understanding each other and getting along with each other and helping each other is necessary for a common goal. Through the profession of fashion, you can connect people

regardless of age, gender and, in particular, cultural background on an equal footing and without major inhibitions. The Ice-breaker: vanity and the inventing is in every one of us and that is where our journey together begins. What do we wear and what material do we have at our disposal? As a fashion designer and stylist CHANG13° from Cologne faces the task of how to produce a collection with an existing or low budget. He devoted himself intensively to this task during his studies. The motivation was the passion to make a vision a reality and to bring his creations to the man and woman. He continues to follow this passion in different genres and applies his know-how in craftsmanship, design, logistics, sales and communication. In Cologne he sold his own label in his own shop for more than 10 years. In the seminar different techniques like draping, drawing, moodboards and/or everything that is needed in a fashion company are obtained from it. Dr. Ludwig Möller, Director Moving School Kassel, accompanies the creative processes of the participants.

The next step is from the idea to the realization in cooperation with the production. It’s about questions like: What do you have to prepare for the seamstresses? What do you have to consider in order to produce a garment? Which machines and accessories are needed? This includes editing, work plan, technical drawing, time planning and organization of a fashion show such as casting the location, models, hair & makeup and technology. The resulting products could be sold to cover own investments or for a good cause.

Comment
The seminar imparts knowledge of the

Idea development: Technology, Find / Search / Research, Raw material, Realization aspects: Environment, Integration, DYI, helping others, discovering talents, promoting integration, team development

Strategy development: Fashion show / press, internal & external communication, winning customers and fans.

Up-cycling: Idea / concept: integration of heritage, own origin/ themes of refugees, modern and abstract technology (moodboards / collages), know- how, technology, craftsmanship

Investment and logistics: Realization / finding solutions, economic aspects, distribution through press & sales strategies Fashion show:

Joint appearance of refugees with students and models

Exhibition:
Craft, art and teamwork are shown and presented. Cultures and mentalities will be introduced.

Moving School as partner of FLUDH movingschool.eu https://www.facebook.com/movingschoolkassel/ https://www.instagram.com/movingschool/

Location:

District centre Wesertor Wesertor.26
34125 Kassel

Dates:

3/4 May
17/18 May
24/25 May
14/15 June
12 July: Final presentation “ContiUnity – Social Catwalk”

Fridays: 3 pm – 8 pm Saturdays: 10 am – 6 pm

The starting point of the project is to use up-cycling of vintage clothes as an integration project. We don’t start with the deficits, which often become known in integration projects, but with the resources of the participants. Their knowledge of craft techniques, their talent for improvisation and organization, their knowledge of their culture, their colors, fabrics, cuts, music and way of moving in everyday life and as dancers. In the pilot project we learned how many possibilities the core project Upcycling Fashion offers for docking.

Clothes that people make don’t have to be expensive! The consultation about the outer appearance can be an access to people in difficult life situations. How a person sees himself or herself is essentially determined by how he or she is seen by others. Many young people in Germany, but also those who come to us as fugitives, orient their clothing style on role models from the film and music industry. In their own social media channels, this self-image is shared with the public and in turn evaluated by them. The effects on one’s own identity and external appearance can lead to misunderstandings and misjudgements in communication with other people. Working with one’s own style, one’s external

appearance, is therefore an important form of work for self-image and selfesteem. These are decisive factors for integration and job search

The development and implementation of ideas in Moving School is always oriented towards participation and democratic processes. It is done in teamwork of students, refugees, migrants, it is about starting communication about working together and creating a different fashion product. Invited are students from all faculties who would like to get involved in the field of fashion and integration.

Through the profession of fashion, it is possible to connect people regardless of age, gender and, in particular, cultural background on an equal footing and without major inhibitions. The Ice-breaker: vanity and the invention is in every one of us and that is where our journey together begins. What do we wear and what material do we have at our disposal?

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The own interest led not only students, fugitives, migration and people with and without employment to us but also people with disabilities, musicians, dancers, children and young people. When it came to the fashion show, there were people who were interested in sales, marketing, organization, casting, technology, catering, photographs, film and hospitality.