As one of the 10 selected European winners of this year’s Creative FLIP - Learning Labs project on sustainable fashion and textiles, I was invited to participate in an exchange held from November 25th to 27th in Prato, Italy.

The event, which took place at Lottozero, a textile innovation hub, brought together creative companies from across Europe to kickstart co-creation projects that connect education and sustainable fashion. It’s worth mentioning that Lottozero is a dream space for us creators, making the experience incredibly inspiring and motivating. In collaboration with the Goethe-Institut Brussels and the European Creative Hubs Network, the event served as the perfect platform for idea exchange and networking.

Highlights of the Exchange

  • Interactive Workshops and Discussions:
    We refined our projects and focused on integrating sustainable fashion into educational programs with local schools.
  • Sustainability in Practice: A guided tour of the local wool recycling center and hands-on activities in the Lottozero textile lab offered valuable insights into sustainable practices.
  • Expert Guidance: The ReFashionized project was presented, and experts from IPIL explored ways of teaching intellectual property to young learners.

Looking Ahead to 2025

As part of the 2024–2025 Learning Labs program, I’m excited to announce a collaboration between BY/MARTIS and the Ljubno ob Savinji Primary School. In January 2025, we will kick off workshops for eighth graders focused on sustainable fashion, intellectual property, and creative design. What the result will be, I’ll reveal next year. Hint: It will definitely be something connected to BY/MARTIS and modularity. ;) I’m really looking forward to the children's creativity and collaborating with young change-makers.

Thanks

A big thank you to Lottozero, Goethe-Institut Brussels, and the European Creative Hubs Network for such an unforgettable experience.

I’m starting this project with great hope that these workshops will inspire future advocates for sustainability.

 

Foto: Toast Studio

December 28, 2024 — Martina Marolt