Decolonising Zero Waste Fashion Design: Lessons from Making Zero Waste in West Africa
With Piloya Sandra, Fred Nabi Yankey, Cassandra Belanger
Zero waste fashion design has deep historical roots across cultures, yet contemporary approaches remain largely shaped by Global North perspectives. This presentation explores Making Zero Waste, a participatory research project connecting designers, educators, and pattern cutters in the global north with those in Ghana, Nigeria and Uganda. Through workshops and collaborative knowledge exchange, the project examines how contemporary zero waste methodologies intersect with local garment-making traditions, particularly freehand cutting and remanufacturing. Reflecting on lessons learned, the presentation considers what it means to decolonise design education, challenge assumptions about expertise, and move towards more equitable, reciprocal approaches that recognise and sustain local knowledge and practices.
Presenters: Piloya Sandra, Fred Nabi Yankey, Cassandra Belanger
