Our 25^th Café des Sciences lecture will explore the topic of sustainable fashion. Within this complex field, we will focus in particular on sustainable fabrics, which serve as the fashion industry’s fundamental materials. In a world of finite natural resources, we cannot overlook the topic of eco-friendly materials: its importance and environmental impact are often underestimated and outshined by the dazzling glamour of the fashion design process. In fact, from manufacture (sourcing, weaving, dyeing, etc.) to supply, the whole fabric industrial chain exerts far-reaching impact on our planet.

From the choice of fibers to the recycling of worn materials, each piece of garment is imbued with its designer’s scientific thoughts. Recent innovations and technological advancements in textiles have drastically expanded the aesthetic horizon of fabrics. However, fashion designers are not solely responsible for the adoption of sustainable fabrics; as consumers, we should also be aware of how we can contribute to a sustainable future by spending our money wisely.

For our first lecture in 2021, we are pleased to have invited two fashion designers, Jeanne von Segesser, Founder and Designer of apesigned and Head of the Romandie Region for Fashion Revolution, and Miranda Chen, Manager and Co-Founder of Langerchen, to share with us their first-hand experiences in designing and producing sustainable fabrics. Join us to explore new choices of fashion in this new year! 

Speakers

Jeanne von Segesser

Founder and Designer of apesigned, Head of Romandie Region of Fashion Revolution

Jeanne von Segesser is the Founder and Designer of apesigned, a Swiss-Vietnamese conscious and slow fashion label promoting hand-made and tailor-made artisanal creations with principally upcycled fabrics. Currently, she is also Head of the Romandie Region for the not-for-profit organization Fashion Revolution. And she is responsible for FashRev Romandie since a little more than 2 years now. Also, she has launched the eco-responsible community Bubble Ethic, highlighting the diversity of local and sustainable creations (fashion, accessories, care, household products, objects) in French-speaking Switzerland.

By creating tailor-made products and limited editions with high quality upcycled fabrics like silk, and cotton coming from end of fabric rolls of the fast fashion industry and upcycled fabrics from the ethnic minorities, apesigned is truly engaged in the energy efficiency and waste management in the whole creating process until the packaging, made of recycled paper and carton boxes.

Miranda Chen

General Manager and Co-Founder of Langerchen

Miranda started her career in fashion in 1992. Focusing on the apparel industry, she has rich overseas experience, and experience in cooperation with buyers. After returning to Shanghai from Hong Kong in 1997, she established the representative office of Astoni from Switzerland and served as the general manager. In 2004, she established A-Listair Shanghai Company, engaging in knitwear import and export business with 27 long-term cooperative factories. In 2009, Miranda Chen co-founded the textile manufacturer Jiecco with Philipp Langer. Later they developed their fashion label LANGERCHEN which has developed a series of environmentally-friendly industry-leading fabrics and materials in the company’s own production facility, and undertakes the R&D and production of high-end environmentally friendly fabrics and materials. Their business reaches fashion brands in Germany, the United States, Switzerland, Belgium and other countries.

As a fair fashion label, Langerchen has been standing for this since 2013, creating eco outdoor wear that scores with a timeless look, sustainable materials and high functionality. Fair production conditions, the smallest possible ecological footprint and high-quality products play a major role for the label right from the start.

Co-organized with:

Café des Sciences

Shanghai | Third Thursday of every other month

Café des Sciences is an event series at swissnex China initiated in 2019, offering a platform for Swiss spotlight scientists, start-ups, artists and designers to present their projects and connect with the local community. The lectures offer a casual setting in which speakers can present their work and engage with the attendees during a Q&A period. Audiences are welcomed to enjoy the networking reception with Swiss flavor after the talk. Starting in 2021, the lectures are scheduled to take place on the third Thursday of every other month at swissnex China or our partner spaces.  To view past events, please click here.