Universidad Anáhuac México design students unveiled the results of a circular design project sponsored by Global Denim.
The project, called “Circular Denim Moda Anáhuac México,” provided 21 sixth-semester students with the opportunity to develop a fashion collection in denim aligned with circular economy principles, incorporating design research, textile experimentation, and innovative design strategies.
The theme aligns with Global Denim’s efforts to increase the use of circular fibers in denim manufacturing. It also highlights the mill’s ongoing focus on education. Previously, Global Denim partnered with students from Anahuac Mexico Norte University in Mexico City to develop problem-solving collections.
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Guided by Anatt Finkler, Global Denim’s creative director, the project’s academic focus encouraged critical reflection on the denim industry by allowing students to take an active role in addressing contemporary fashion challenges.
Divided into four phases, the project provided students an immersive and comprehensive overview of the denim-making process. The first stage involved industry research, including case studies of sustainable brands. Students explored supply chain traceability, lifecycle assessment of cotton, and innovations in fibers, pigments, and low impact dyeing processes.
In the second phase, students applied design methodologies for textile experimentation, developing materials and techniques aligned with circularity principles. Through trials involving artisanal processes, students engaged in hands-on, exploratory learning that prioritized material feasibility.
In the third phase, each student developed 15 design proposals, from which three were selected for final production. Design criteria included exclusive use of denim (allowing up to only 10 percent of other materials) and the application of waste-minimizing techniques such as zero-waste patterns, convertible garments, or the creation of fashion accessories using leftover materials.
For the final, each student produced three complete looks, featuring jackets, pants, skirts, or other key garments. Their creative process was documented through a professional photo shoot, supported by stylists and makeup artists.
