Eco-clothing collection and InterBridge

The Department of Design at the Faculty of Textile Engineering of the Technical University of Liberec presents an innovative combination of aesthetics, functionality and environmental responsibility at an exhibition on the Eco-Clothing Collection project at Gallery N. The exhibition will run from 5 to 19 December 2025.

The clothing collection, which combines science and art, was designed and implemented as part of the unique Eco-Clothing Collection project, co-financed with state support from the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic under the SIGMA Programme for the Support of Applied Research and Innovation, under the artistic direction of Zuzana Veselá, TAČR (TQ01000450 - Eco-clothing collection). The research project has resulted in comprehensive collections of unified clothing with a minimal ecological footprint and a high degree of adaptability. The aim is to seek new forms of expression, material approaches and design solutions that push the boundaries of contemporary clothing design towards timeless sustainability. Each model is created as a unique fusion of fashion, science and art – a manifesto of interdisciplinary collaboration. You can find out more about the project at www.eco-clothing.cz .

How the collection was created

The collection is based on extensive sociological and material research that examined why people love and use clothes – and why they discard them. We combined data on user behaviour with laboratory tests of textiles and sought answers to the question of how to design clothing that ages well. We translated the results into cutting principles, construction details, layers and modular elements. Each model in the collection responds to a specific finding: from materials resistant to pilling and abrasion to details that support a long-term emotional relationship between the garment and its wearer.

The collection & its principles

The collection is designed as a capsule system in which individual pieces combine naturally and layering supports functionality and long-term usability. The cut is based on the principles of zero-waste and kinetic garment construction — the garments respect different body types, allow for sharing, and at the same time support alterations, easy repairability, long-term use, and disassembly for recycling.

The materials were selected based on laboratory tests for resistance to pilling, abrasion, fading and deformation. We prefer single-species fabrics, deadstock materials and no-dye/low-dye treatments, which have a low environmental footprint and high recyclability. The collection therefore combines an achromatic line with a more distinctive deadstock range unified by original prints. A key element is microdesign — small modifications, slits, sliding straps and original texts that encourage personalisation and an emotional connection to the garment. Research confirms that it is the emotional bond that extends the life of a garment more than most technical parameters — which is why working with detail and story is one of the central innovations of the collection. The collection thus combines aesthetic consistency, functional variability and proven durability. The result is a comprehensive wardrobe for different situations, seasons and life changes — timeless, versatile and meaningful.

About the project

The eco-clothing collection is an interdisciplinary research project of the Faculty of Textile Engineering at TUL, which uses design as a fully-fledged research method. The aim is to create clothing with a long technical, functional and psychological lifespan. The project combines knowledge of sociology, materials engineering and experimental clothing design — from innovative constructions to working with layers, colours and microdesign. The clothing collection is the result of collaboration between designers, materials and construction specialists and students. It shows that longevity begins at the design stage: in the interaction between the material, the construction logic and the user's experience of the garment. The project is supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic (SIGMA programme) and its results are used in practice, teaching and education in the field of sustainable clothing design.

Team / Who is behind it 

The eco-clothing collection was created by combining two specialist areas of the TUL Faculty of Textiles – clothing design and textile engineering. Together, we seek a balance between aesthetics, functionality and the long life of clothing. The project involves collaboration between designers, material and construction experts, technologists and students, who are united by their respect for both the subject matter and people.

Main researchers:

Ing. Jana Drašarová, Ph.D. — analysis of user behaviour and clothing durability.

Mgr.art. Zuzana Veselá — research and clothing design, author of the artistic concept.

Prof. Jakub Wiener, Ph.D. — material research, durability, recyclability. 

 A team from the Department of Materials Engineering and the Department of Textile Evaluation at the Faculty of Textile Engineering, TUL — Jakub Wiener, Jana Šašková, and Marie Havlová — participated in the technical part of the project. Their work focused on the selection and optimisation of textile materials with regard to their functionality, recyclability, and life cycle. The team tested the physical and functional properties of textiles, such as pilling, abrasion resistance, colour fastness and durability during repeated washing, while also analysing the impact of individual material variants in terms of LCA (Life Cycle Assessment). Thanks to their expertise, the collection was able to combine scientific knowledge about sustainability with the aesthetic and construction principles of contemporary clothing design.

Why it matters

Fashion is one of the industries with the greatest environmental impact. The project shows that a solution exists — and that long-lasting garments can be aesthetic, functional and technically high-quality at the same time. Extended durability reduces consumption, waste and carbon footprint. The collection offers specific principles that can be used in industry, start-ups and everyday clothing.