Kaisa Ilves

Zero-waste apron collection, 2024
Material: thick cotton cutting waste

The aprons are made from thick cotton edges left unused and found in the waste piles of the Rivatex textile factory. The cutting method makes use of the entire fabric area, leaving no additional offcuts behind. No rivets or zippers have been used, in order to keep the aprons as circular as possible and to align with the local factory’s production capacities. The sewing was supported by two factory workers, Veronica and Sharon. The aprons are designed for gardening but can also be worn as practical everyday outerwear.

“Gardeners of the Future” is inspired by unused potential and the choices we make for a better tomorrow. In Kenya, just a few kilograms of cotton seeds (costing 5000 Kenyan shillings / 35 euros) together with the passing on of gardening knowledge to a landowner and their descendants can bring life-changing opportunities. At the same time, increasingly unpredictable weather makes conditions more uncertain, while genetically modified cotton seeds can provide yields 2–3 times more reliable than organic ones. What changes do future generations need and desire – who are the gardeners of the future?