A chat with Mike Van Der Zanden
What did the experience in Tonello brought to you, as knowledge and skills?
It’s always better to see new technologies first hand. Technologies like NoStone® and Laser were great to see! We only have a small laundry to work with in Denim City Amsterdam, so going directly to the manufacturer of the washing machines was fantastic. This is where all the latest innovations are. We got to learn a lot about working with these machines and also what chemicals do to the garments. Regarding my denim concept, I was able to realize exactly my initial idea. The concept was about a traveling couple having a trip across Europe, with a map of the journey marked on jeans and dyed with the colors of Iceland. The end results were great!
During the week at Tonello, I got to experience and become familiar with different garment finishing technologies. I think it is essential for a designer to know about these technologies, as each fabric reacts differently to treatments. This is critical to developing unique and innovative washes, and, in addition, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a competent team of professionals.
Are you working on something? Do you have any future projects?
I am currently focusing my efforts on my graduate project, which is about Levi’s. Tonello collaborated with them on NoStone® technology, which inspired me a lot. Although I have no definite future plans yet, I am sure I will continue to develop washes and create my own brand in the denim industry.
A chat with Dong Thanh Tran
What did your experience at Tonello bring you in terms of knowledge and skills?
It certainly brought a lot of satisfaction, deeper knowledge, more advanced skills and the opportunity to better understand what finishing means, including in terms of innovation. The future of the textile industry is bright. I’ve always thought that finishing produced a lot of pollution, but Tonello has changed the rules of the game, and I think it’s only a matter of time before companies integrate Tonello’s machines into their realities. In the Amsterdam Blue Lab I experienced the commonly used methods of washing, but working with it for 4 days in a row gave me the knowledge on how to communicate with the finishing department and the possibilities of this department.
Could you briefly describe your denim project? Were you able to realize your initial idea?
My denim project consisted of lasering a shaded tiger camouflage print on the shoulder part of the jacket and from the bottom to the knee of the pants. I was able to carry out this project following my initial idea.
This experience allowed me to deepen my knowledge of finishing that was initially limited to the theoretical part. My perspective has changed a lot, for the better. We have a bright future ahead of us.
Are you working on any projects? Do you have any future projects?
I am currently working on a three-piece men’s suit. I would like to experiment with tailoring and finishing in the future. I would like to experiment with tailoring and finishing in the future. During the week at Tonello, I had the opportunity to try out and familiarize myself with different garment finishing technologies. I think for a designer, working with denim is really important to understand what is possible and what will be possible to integrate into a company. Not only for the financial and creative aspect, but also for the environment and the people who do these finishes.
A chat with Giovanni Hardjodikromo
What did your experience at Tonello bring you in terms of knowledge and skills?
The experience that Tonello brought me was seeing from very close how the washing process is done. I have learned how important it is to use new solutions in washing technologies. During the workshop at Tonello I increased my washing skills. Now I know the steps to get to a particular wash on jeans!
Talking about my project, instead, my concept to develop was about the traveling warrior. The collection consists of two pieces: a kimono jacket and a pair of pants. I used white denim for the pieces. I had done a bit of research on Tonello’s website, to find out their possibilities regarding garment treatment. My initial idea was to create a real vintage piece from the white fabric. With the finest technologies in the R&D department I achieved the perfect result.
How was your expertise in garment finishing before and after this experience? Has your perspective changed?
Before Tonello I only had seen a small laundry at the denim city in Amsterdam. So I expected something similar, just bigger. At tonello I discovered the latest technologies regarding garment treatment. I had never heard about this kind of solutions. My perspective has changed after the workshop. I strongly believe that big companies should use these kind of machines for a cleaner production.
Do you have any future projects? How important do you think is for a designer knowing these technologies and why?
At the moment I am very busy with my graduation project, for which I used Berto textiles fabric combined with Tonello washing treatment. I hope that I can inspire people to get conscious of how polluting garment treatment is, using old machines. For my future plans, I’m not sure yet. But I will always strive to create my own brand.
For a designer, I think it is essential to try and become familiar with different garment finishing technologies, because these technologies allow for different results. This can be extremely positive for a designer’s collection, in addition to the importance of creating a good marketing story based on innovation and technology.
