The Department of Industrial Art at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi (KNUST) has partnered with sustainability initiative Re_Root to host a hands-on workshop on circular fashion and textile sustainability.
The collaborative programme brought together 16 third- and fourth-year students, 10 seamstresses recruited by Re_Root from two communities, three members of the Re_Root project team, a volunteer and a faculty member from the department.
The workshop focused on the creative upcycling of second-hand clothing, challenging participants to transform discarded garments into functional and aesthetically appealing products. Through demonstrations and practical sessions, participants explored sustainable design techniques aimed at extending the lifecycle of textiles.
Facilitators from Re_Root delivered sessions on responsible consumption, sustainable production models and the environmental impact of textile waste. Participants were encouraged to view post-consumer textiles not as waste but as raw material for innovation and social responsibility.
At the end of the workshop, participants had produced more than 20 finished items, including tote bags, cushions, decorative rugs, face towels, hair accessories and fully upcycled outfits, all created from recovered textiles.
“The workshop was a wonderful opportunity to collaborate, be creative, and develop new skills while turning discarded materials into useful products,” one participant said.
Another added: “I learned practical techniques and gained confidence working with others, proving that nothing is truly waste.”
The initiative forms part of the department’s broader commitment to embedding sustainability in art and design education through partnerships that promote environmental stewardship and circular economy principles.
Department officials say the collaboration aims to equip emerging designers with practical skills and a sustainability-focused mindset to contribute meaningfully to responsible fashion and textile innovation.
By: Alice Laura Kyerewaah Prempeh
