THE STONE THE BUILDERS REJECTED
Prize(s):
WINNER 2026 FASHION DESIGN / Haute Couture | Honorable Mention 2026 FASHION DESIGN / Sustainable Fashion
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):OGOCHUKWU AKABOGU
Project Location:ILOTI IJEBU-ODE
Design Status:Prototype
Video URL:View
Project Description:
This project ‘ The stone the builders rejected’, highlights how fabric waste can be repurposed to create couture/wearable art in Africa.This directly reduces the tons of textile waste that end up in landfills, on the streets and in the culverts blocking drainage systems and causing flooding in our environments.
This project ‘ The stone the builders rejected’, highlights how fabric waste can be repurposed to create couture/wearable art in Africa.This directly reduces the tons of textile waste that end up in landfills, on the streets and in the culverts blocking drainage systems and causing flooding in our environments.
Project Innovation / Specification:
This project aims at creatively showing how fabric waste can be recycled and reused to produce high end wearable art pieces to promote circular economy while simultaneously cleaning up the environment
This project aims at creatively showing how fabric waste can be recycled and reused to produce high end wearable art pieces to promote circular economy while simultaneously cleaning up the environment
Project Sustainability Approach:
The sustainability approach of this project is first environmental by reducing fabric waste which is the second largest industrial polluter. Secondly, it promotes economic sustainability by encouraging efficient resource use and non-depletion of natural and social capital.
The sustainability approach of this project is first environmental by reducing fabric waste which is the second largest industrial polluter. Secondly, it promotes economic sustainability by encouraging efficient resource use and non-depletion of natural and social capital.
Local and Regional Impacts of the Project:
The impact of my project is far reaching. Locally, during the rainy season, the state and federal government are always clearly overwhelmed. The common problem being flooding. This is majorly because the overwhelming amount of fabric waste clogs the drainage systems causing the contaminated water to seek other pathways that includes people’s homes, public and private spaces and even hospitals. By repurposing fabric destined for land fills, it gives my local and regional environment an opportunity to reduce toxic land fill reliance, mitigate health risks from flooding and burning, lower methane emissions, drive innovation and creates livelihoods in the circular economy. It also reduces the need for virgin materials thereby promoting sustainable production.
The impact of my project is far reaching. Locally, during the rainy season, the state and federal government are always clearly overwhelmed. The common problem being flooding. This is majorly because the overwhelming amount of fabric waste clogs the drainage systems causing the contaminated water to seek other pathways that includes people’s homes, public and private spaces and even hospitals. By repurposing fabric destined for land fills, it gives my local and regional environment an opportunity to reduce toxic land fill reliance, mitigate health risks from flooding and burning, lower methane emissions, drive innovation and creates livelihoods in the circular economy. It also reduces the need for virgin materials thereby promoting sustainable production.
Lead Designer(s) Name(s):OGOCHUKWU AKABOGU
