GERMANY'S NEXT TOPMODEL DRESS
My work for Germany’s Next Top Model marked my first upcycling design, created during my first semester of study. The project brief was to develop an extravagant dress for the show, with the strongest designs selected to be showcased on air. Motivated to experiment with unconventional materials and transform them into high-quality garments, I chose to work with recycled bicycle tubes. My design was selected as one of the winning pieces and was featured on the show in April 2020.
This first upcycling project fundamentally shaped the way I think about design. Working with an unconventional material taught me to let the material itself drive the creative process, inspiring new ideas rather than starting from a fixed silhouette. Exploring the specific strengths and limitations of recycled bicycle tubes was essential, as their rigidity and curved form required extensive experimentation. Achieving a precise fit meant carefully aligning the material’s natural bends with the contours of the body. This hands-on process of testing, adapting, and problem-solving was incredibly inspiring to me.
My work for Germany’s Next Top Model marked my first upcycling design, created during my first semester of study. The project brief was to develop an extravagant dress for the show, with the strongest designs selected to be showcased on air. Motivated to experiment with unconventional materials and transform them into high-quality garments, I chose to work with recycled bicycle tubes. My design was selected as one of the winning pieces and was featured on the show in April 2020.
This first upcycling project fundamentally shaped the way I think about design. Working with an unconventional material taught me to let the material itself drive the creative process, inspiring new ideas rather than starting from a fixed silhouette. Exploring the specific strengths and limitations of recycled bicycle tubes was essential, as their rigidity and curved form required extensive experimentation. Achieving a precise fit meant carefully aligning the material’s natural bends with the contours of the body. This hands-on process of testing, adapting, and problem-solving was incredibly inspiring to me.
GERMANY'S NEXT TOPMODEL DRESS
I explored a range of cutting and sewing techniques for the bicycle tubes, carefully balancing aesthetics with structural stability. Because the dress was relatively heavy, I developed a method to keep the tubes securely in place. By testing different thread types and strengths, I identified the most effective solution for the design. My goal was to achieve a luxurious appearance and a high-quality finish while emphasizing the sculptural structure, durability, and distinctive surface quality of the bicycle tubes.
My work for Germany’s Next Top Model marked my first upcycling design, created during my first semester of study. The project brief was to develop an extravagant dress for the show, with the strongest designs selected to be showcased on air. Motivated to experiment with unconventional materials and transform them into high-quality garments, I chose to work with recycled bicycle tubes. My design was selected as one of the winning pieces and was featured on the show in April 2020.
This first upcycling project fundamentally shaped the way I think about design. Working with an unconventional material taught me to let the material itself drive the creative process, inspiring new ideas rather than starting from a fixed silhouette. Exploring the specific strengths and limitations of recycled bicycle tubes was essential, as their rigidity and curved form required extensive experimentation. Achieving a precise fit meant carefully aligning the material’s natural bends with the contours of the body. This hands-on process of testing, adapting, and problem-solving was incredibly inspiring to me.
GERMANY'S NEXT TOPMODEL DRESS
I explored a range of cutting and sewing techniques for the bicycle tubes, carefully balancing aesthetics with structural stability. Because the dress was relatively heavy, I developed a method to keep the tubes securely in place. By testing different thread types and strengths, I identified the most effective solution for the design. My goal was to achieve a luxurious appearance and a high-quality finish while emphasizing the sculptural structure, durability, and distinctive surface quality of the bicycle tubes.
I explored a range of cutting and sewing techniques for the bicycle tubes, carefully balancing aesthetics with structural stability. Because the dress was relatively heavy, I developed a method to keep the tubes securely in place. By testing different thread types and strengths, I identified the most effective solution for the design. My goal was to achieve a luxurious appearance and a high-quality finish while emphasizing the sculptural structure, durability, and distinctive surface quality of the bicycle tubes.
Behind the scenes image of the dress on Germany's Next Topmodel 2020.
After being featured on the show, the dress was part of a magazine shoot published in 2021.