Old jeans became school bags, aprons and backpacks as students at FIDA The Design School explored how fashion waste could be transformed into useful design.
Project ReJEANerate, a sustainability-focused exhibition was presented during Fashion Revolution Week. Held on May 2, 2026, the event, titled ‘What We Wear, What We Leave Behind’, brought together students, designers, entrepreneurs and community organisations to explore how discarded denim could be transformed into purposeful, everyday design.
Fashion Revolution Week, observed globally during the third week of April, encourages conversations around ethical consumption and the environmental impact of the clothing industry. According to organisers, the exhibition was held as part of ongoing discussions within the institute on responsible fashion design practices and the role young designers can play in reducing textile waste.
“Fashion has done a lot of damage by creating a lot of waste,” said S. Fareeda Khan, who leads the institute, while discussing the need for students to rethink consumption and production practices. “This project was about giving students a purpose through concious consumption and helping them think about how design can solve real problems.”
Unlike previous conceptual projects, ReJEANerate focused on practical application. Around 18 fashion design students volunteered to participate in workshops and case studies exploring how used jeans and surplus denim could be redesigned into products with longer life cycles and practical value.
The exhibition showcased a variety of prototypes, including reflective backpacks made using denim and repurposed chip packets, dog harnesses, utility aprons, sling bags and multifunctional handbags.
“One of the students created an apron with spaces for tools like measuring tape and pins because she kept losing them while working,” Khan explained, describing how many of the designs emerged from solving everyday problems.
Students were encouraged to approach eco-friendly designs through functionality rather than solely through aesthetics. “The designer becomes a bridge between textiles and end uses,” Khan said. “Good design can be sustainable.”
A major aspect of the project focused on community collaboration. Students developed prototypes for school bags that were later produced by women associated with Nandri Trust. This Mamallapuram-based organisation supports women from vulnerable and underprivileged backgrounds through livelihood opportunities and skill development.
More than 30 upcycled denim school bags were produced and distributed to children through Boomi Trust and Madras Seva Sadan.
The event also highlighted collaboration between communities, businesses and young creatives. Surplus denim materials were contributed by Vijay Kapoor, founder of Derby Jeans Community, while fabric scraps and additional support came from local suppliers and student-led creative groups.
“Let us be a part of the solution, not the problem,” Kapoor said while addressing attendees.
Alongside the exhibition, guests participated in interactive discussions centred on circular economy practices. Organisers intentionally kept the gathering intimate, inviting participants from diverse industries to foster meaningful dialogue on sustainability and responsible design.
An installation by Team Dare, a collaborating group, featured denim keychains pinned to a denim board. As visitors removed the keychains to take home as souvenirs, the display gradually emptied, symbolising how collective action can reduce landfill waste through reuse and upcycling.
“We are buying four or five garments every month,” Khan said while reflecting on changing consumer habits. “But what happens after we have used them?”
As conversations around ethical fashion continue to grow globally, Project ReJEANerate highlighted how local initiatives can encourage larger discussions around waste, responsible consumption and the social impact of fashion.
Photos by Rida Sait
Student Intern from April – June 2026
A very meaningful project carried out by FIDA!
P.s. the article is very well written!