In Autumn 2014, local international started as professional development training for young fashion designers from Dhaka and Berlin.
The pilot project aimed to raise awareness for sustainability, participation and fair trade within the fashion industry. Local production methods, sustainable design and production strategies within the fashion industry, as well as establishing co-operations on an equal footing were the main aims of this project.
project phase I
Dhaka
local international° 1 began with a field trip: In November 2014, six German participants travelled to Dhaka, where they, together with the Bangladeshi participants, visited textile factories, NGOs and companies that promote revived traditional craftsmanship and sustainable production methods. Throughout the trip, the group held discussions about trade flows within the global fashion industry, reflected on the working conditions of textile workers and joined local artisans to attend workshops on natural dyeing and block printing.
project phase II
Berlin
In January 2015, coinciding with Berlin Fashion Week, the six participants from Bangladesh travelled to Berlin for the second part of the exchange. They attended the fashion trade fairs Premium and Green Showroom, as well as selected fashion shows of German design labels during Berlin Fashion Week. The group also visited a variety of fashion institutions, echibitions and companies and met local sustainable fashion designers.
project phase III
Berlin
Following the research stage and excursions, the twelve participants developed new creative design approaches to sustainability, participation, and fair trade. The project results were exhibited at designtransfer gallery during Berlin Fashion Week in July 2015.