Windward, is a collection of garments constructed from reworked sailcloth by Fashion Design Technology Student, Lana Holgate in the third year Fashion Design Technology Capstone course. The collection is designed by analysing an asymmetrical spinnaker sail, sourced from the sail manufacturers, North Sails. Windward follows the responsible design ethos of shift, salvage and sustain, this ethos was captured throughout the design process from inception to completion. Using these fundamental systems and experimental development, Holgate pushed the capabilities of the spinnaker sail whilst maintaining key structural features, formulating an outcome of avant-garde streetwear. Each garment reflects the endless possibilities in which sailcloth, a strong and durable textile, can offer. Windward explores unique manufacturing techniques and distinct design concepts, challenging the abilities and knowledge behind a conventional sail.

FDT Lecturer, Jennifer Whitty, worked closely with Holgate on the curation of the exhibition and was proud to see an FDT Capstone Student represented in a new and exciting space—

"As the youngest and newest fashion programme in Aotearoa, we are uniquely positioned in the Fashion Design Technology (FDT) programme to be committed to the needs of the 21^st century. At Te Herenga Waka we are cultivating a new design mindset within our students that is based on a rich understanding of circular design across the value chain, and what it means to be kaitiaki through fashion products, services systems. We are very proud of Lana, one of our very first cohort of graduates from the fashion programme at VUW. Her capstone work, Windward, is timely and inspirational from a technical, social and ecological perspective. Lana’s creative work shows us the potential of sustainable design systems for many of today's issues. She has re-activated through design, a very Aotearoa waste stream - the sail cloth. Sail cloths are made from incredibly strong and durable plastics, but when they are replaced, we run into issues as no facilities exist for recycling, with an estimated 97% ending up in landfill. Lana's sustainable design system has added value to something our society has cast out, that would otherwise go to landfill. She has given waste a new life through creative circular design problem solving. We hope her work and the other students pave the way for reimaging our systems to become circular and responsible."

The visual material of this exhibition consists of two garments, photographic examples of the garments on models, and the design process captured through renders and photographic exploration. It can be viewed in the Te Aro Window Gallery until July 2 2023.

May 24–July 2, Te Aro Window Gallery.