Eco-Campus Chronicles: A look Inside Harvard University’s Sustainability Efforts — REEF Makerspace
I recently stepped into my dream world. Imagine a room filled with ideas, energy, and a whole lot of fabric. Except here fashion was not just about what individuals wear. It was about stitching together the future. I recently had the chance to visit Harvard University’s REEF Makerspace, where I spoke to Director Kile about how students are reimagining the world of fashion by designing with purpose. From upcycling materials to creating stunning eco-conscious designs, this place is like the Hogwarts for fashion-forward minds. Want to know how you can get in on the action? Let’s dive into the world of the SEC Makerspace and see how it’s transforming the fashion scene—one sustainable project at a time!
My visit began with an introduction of a few of the sustainable fashion projects that have been completed by the REEF Makerspace. One of the standout projects I encountered was the Marine Debris Fashion Show—a competition where participants create fashion from materials that would otherwise pollute our oceans. What makes this show even more remarkable? The incorporation of augmented reality (AR), which took each design to new heights, blending fashion with digital elements to promote sustainability.
Seeing the pieces in person was like witnessing fashion transform into art—plastic bags, soda can tabs, and fishing lines skillfully reworked into stunning designs. The level of craftsmanship was so intricate that it took a moment to realize the materials weren’t traditional fabrics but remnants of debris, given new life. Picture a haute couture gown, except it is made out of plastic bags, soda can tabs, and fishing line. These pieces were so full of life, built from debris that was once carelessly disposed of.
Director Kile also showed me images of a design by Kelly O'Conor, a Harvard Medical student who reimagined expired medical equipment, collected from teaching hospitals in the area, into a stunning ensemble. O’Conor had designed with the knowledge that sterile equipment comes with the cost of mass waste. In her designs, she adorned her model with bed sheets and cloth dressings, hand sewn with a suture needle. Her headpiece: a crown fit for royalty constructed out of forceps and ventilation tubes. I had never seen such an ingenious use of disposable materials – materials that were given a second chance at changing lives.
Kelly O’Conor’s award winning design
One of the most intriguing areas in the Makerspace was the 3D printing lab, which holds the key to the future of sustainable fashion. Among the innovative tools and technologies, I was introduced to PHA—an environmentally friendly material made by microorganisms that is flexible, elastic, and biodegradable. This is a game-changer for creating sustainable fabrics, and best of all, it's accessible to all students at Harvard, who are supported by the incredible team at REEF.
As a student passionate about sustainable fashion, I was beyond inspired by what I saw at the REEF Makerspace. It was a rare, eye-opening experience to witness cutting-edge, environmentally-conscious fashion in action, and it left me more excited than ever about the future of the industry. A big thank you to Director Kile and the REEF team for welcoming me into this extraordinary space and showing me how innovation is truly changing the way we approach fashion sustainability.
Xoxo,
Annie
