New European Bauhaus Prizes 2023

Project category

Identify the award category for which this project is being submitted
Shaping a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life-cycle thinking

Email user
camillacarrara@zerobarracento.com

Basic information
Project title
ZEROBARRACENTO

Full Project Title
ZEROBARRACENTO - RE-SHAPING VALUES FROM 0 TO 100 OUTERWEAR FASHION BRAND FOCUSING ON ZERO WASTE

Please provide a short, catchy description of your project to be used in communication towards the public.
We are an Italian emerging outwear brand with a strong 0 waste DNA.
ZERO waste, gender and age as well as reduction of pollution and emissions.
CENTO% quality of the made in Italy, inclusivity, use of materials, sustainability and transparency of production.
Our design mission at ZEROBARRACENTO has always been centered on sustainability and zero waste. We work to expand this attention into sustainable materials and eco-packaging techniques through careful selection of suppliers.

What was the geographical scope of your project?
Cross-border/international

Where was your project implemented?
Location 1
Italy

Location 2
Italy

Member State(s), Western Balkans and other countries
{Empty}

If relevant, insert names of region(s)/municipality(ies) involved
{Empty}

Does your project address mainly urban or rural issues?
Mainly urban

Does your project refer to a physical transformation of the built environment or other types of transformations (hard or soft investments)?
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)

Has your project benefited from EU programmes and/or funds?
Yes

Which fund(s)?
WORTH

Has your project won an EU prize with a monetary value awarded?
Yes

What was the prize?
10000

Is your project fully completed
Yes

Please indicate a date (mm/yy)
2023-01-01

On whose behalf are you submitting the application?
As a representative of an organisation
Please provide the contact details for the project promoter (the individual or representative of the organisation authorised to represent the project)
- Name of the organisation(s): ZEROBARRACENTO
  Type of organisation: For-profit company
  First name of representative: CAMILLA
  Last name of representative: CARRARA
  Gender: Female
  Nationality: Italy
  If relevant, please select your other nationality: Italy
  Function: FOUNDER
  Address (country of permanent residence for individuals or address of the organisation)<br/>Street and number: VIA SAN GREGORIO 21
  Town: MILAN
  Postal code: 20124
  Country: Italy
  Direct Tel: +39 347 380 3150
  E-mail: CONTACT@ZEROBARRACENTO.COM
  Website: https://zerobarracento.com
Social Media accounts (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.)
- URL: https://www.instagram.com/zerobarracento/?hl=it
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): ZEROBARRACENTO
- URL: https://www.pinterest.it/Zerobarracento/
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): ZEROBARRACENTO
- URL: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zerobarracento/
  Social media handle and associated hashtag(s): ZEROBARRACENTO
In case my project is selected as a finalist of the NEB Prizes 2023, I agree to share the name (individual and/or organisation’s), email address, website and social media accounts indicated above with other NEB Prizes finalists. I also agree to publish the name (individual and/or organisation’s), website and social media accounts indicated above next to the public description of my project in the channels of the European Commission.
Yes

How did you hear about the New European Bauhaus Prizes?
Press

Description of the project
Please provide a summary of your project.
ZEROBARRACENTO was created not to revolutionise, but to restructure (re-shape) the values of the fashion industry, escaping seasonal trends and restrictions imposed by age and gender: do not be scared to express your self.

Seasonless garments, at the same time armor of invincibility and protection, are designed for longevity, on an idea of connection and durability.

The name ZEROBARRACENTO comes from the great attention to sustainability and production traceability:

ZERO waste, reduction of pollution and emissions, gender and age.
CENTO% quality of the made in Italy, use of fabrics, sustainability and transparency of production.
The Materials: We only use top quality materials that come from certified sustainable suppliers and our production chain fully respects the principles of circularity.

We make our statement by using the three principles: clean, essential and Italian lines.

Please indicate the main themes of your project with 5 key words.
ZERO-WASTE

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
INCLUSIVITY

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
SUSTAINABILITY

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
MADE IN ITALY

Please indicate the main themes of your project with key words
SILENT LUXURY

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of sustainability and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
At ZEROBARRACENTO sustainability has been at the core of the brand since the beginning through our design mission. From that, we continuously expand our attention into a traced supply chain, careful selection of sustainable materials and eco-packaging. As a small brand we hold the highest control over our suppliers.

In each collection, the patterns are developed according to a zero - waste pattern making, an innovative design technique that allows to use the fabric in its entirety, with no waste at the design stage of a garment, which is usually around 15%.

The thrilling research of sustainable materials is combined with the choice to include selvedges in the models as an aesthetic plus and no other kind of accessories: no buttons, zippers and hooks. Just a very few seams.

This is the challenge of ZEROBARRACENTO: to be able to combine zero-waste pattern making with the feeling, the aesthetics and the wearability of a luxury item… thus achieving excellence in quality, without compromising the sustainability aspect.

Traceable Production

Our mindful manufacturing means choosing factories that are near the raw materials so there’s less traveling involved. We also choose our suppliers based on the regions and cities we know that hold most expertise in working with sustainable materials; for example for our organic and recycled wools we chose Biella and Prato districts.
We have made our commitment to The Sustainability Pledge from UNECE, to improve sustainable and ethical practices in the garment and footwear sector and support the transition to a less wasteful and more circular economy.

http://thesustainabilitypledge.org/media/pledges/ZEROBARRACENTO.pdf

SUSTAINABLE BRAND PLATFORM assists brands to evaluate their sustainability performance guaranteed by blockchain technology.

ZEROBARRACENTO has been rated as a sustainable brand and is part of Sustainable Brand Platform community.

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of aesthetics and quality of experience for people (through design, positive emotions and cultural benefits) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
ZEROBARRACENTO was created not to revolutionise, but to restructure (re-shape) the values of the fashion industry, escaping seasonal trends and restrictions imposed by age and gender, giving life to a product that can embrace and accompany those who choose it through the different stages of his life, adapting to their body, style and personality evolution.
Because we all continuously change and evolve, but we need a staple, our "Linus blanket" that accompanies and “hugs” us every day.
An item to fall in love with. A fundamental element of our own wardrobe. But, above all, a uniform of our identity, at the same time armor of invincibility and protection. Versatile garments that, thanks to their soft and unstructured lines and long belts, adapt to the different shapes we take every day. Because if it is true that the body changes in a more evident way, even our mood and approach to life changes continuously. One day we feel more confident, the next one we need to hide a little, or feel wrapped in a warm hug.
I hope that the ZEROBARRACENTO pieces can pass from mother to daughter, as the ones that I inherited from my grandma, that make me feel safer and closer to her. Transcend the product to become an affection. Create an emotional connection.
ZEROBARRACENTO does not judge but welcomes, does not exclude but includes, does not waste but enhances. It combines the emotionality to the object. The outerwear is the distinctive garment par excellence, the first contact we have with each other, then becomes a tool to communicate our own ego.
Our pieces are designed to become hugs: warm, inclusive and expressively unique for each one of us.
ZEROBARRACENTO is gender and age fluid for a well-defined reason: no one can say what one can or cannot wear, be or want - much less define what is appropriate.
In terms of design value, WE want to optimize the textile and fashion industry, redefining the production processes and choices that contribute to the creation of pieces

Please give information about the key objectives of your project in terms of inclusion (ranging from accessibility and affordability for all to inclusive governing systems, design for all principles or new societal models) and how these have been met. Please highlight how the project can be exemplary in this context.
We can all choose to challenge and speak out against gender bias and inequality. Collectively we can help create an inclusive world. From challenge comes change, so we all choose to challenge, raising awareness against prejudice helps the struggle for equality.
gender equality
One of the goals of the Agenda2030 for Sustainable Development supported by ZEROBARRACENTO aims to achieve gender equality, which is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.
The term gender has no hidden meanings, it just means gender. Personal identity is naturally influenced by the cultural and social aspects in which one lives, aspects which often turn into real stereotypes related to gender. Stereotypes should only serve us to simplify reality, not to adapt reality to it. We at ZEROBARRACENTO embrace the 0% gender idea in our work, which helps us to express the value of equality and inclusiveness in which we believe. We need to look at what unites us rather than encourage wars of intolerance.

Inclusiveness is key, it is the ability of trying to include many different types of people and treat them all equally. It is a unique and important skill that allows to understand the personal experience of the individual.

People with an inclusive mindset welcome and embrace diversity, and that's what we try to represent through our gender-less garments. Expression of bold versatility and equality, ZEROBARRACENTO conveys freedom to the wearer, giving life to a truly inclusive cocoon effect.

Please explain the way citizens benefiting from or affected by the project and civil society have been involved in the project and what has been the impact of this involvement on the project
Our strategy is to always focus our communication towards full transparency and education. We share with our network, clients, and towards schools, universities and professional courses, our know how on sustainable design strategies as well as zero-waste pattern making and design.

Please explain how different stakeholders at various levels (local, regional, national, European) were engaged in the design and implementation of the project. Please highlight what the added value of their engagement was.
Originally from Milan, born in 1991, after a degree in Fashion Design at Politecnico di Milano in 2015 the young designer took a Master in Sustainable Fashion at ESMOD in Berlin. Right after her university years, she knew that sustainability would have been the mission. Camilla, indeed, started creating her brand ZEROBARRACENTO. In 2016 she won a 12-month research grant in sustainable textiles offered by Salvatore Ferragamo.
In the past years the designer has often been invited as guest-speaker into different schools and universities (Axis College, University of the Incarnate Word, Bocconi, 24 Ore Business School and Polimoda Florence) to explain the value of a zero - waste garment.
Since 2021 she is a member of Redress Design Award regional jury, the largest sustainable fashion design competition and she is also a part of the C.L.A.S.S. team, an eco-hub and agency for the promotion of sustainable fashion, where she is involved in different researches and projects.
She developed and launched her first collection with the support of Hessnatur by presenting it for the first time at the Green Showroom during Berlin Fashion Week in January 2016, thanks to a sponsorship with Messe Frankfurt.

ZEROBARRACENTO project, still in its embryonic research phase, has been receiving several awards such as the Recycling Design Preis, the Creative Conscience Award, the MAD MOOD Prize.
In 2019 the brand won "TheOneSeasonless Award" within the competition ‘Mittelmoda’ promoted by Camera della Moda and Confindustria Moda.
In the same year ZEROBARRACENTO was selected for the Createx Project by the European Union and Camilla decided that it was the right to enter into the market. In 2020 it was selected by WORTH, In 2021 ZEROBARRACENTO won the second prize of the Sustainable Contest Montecarlo Fashion Week and according to Vogue Talents, the brand is on the shortlist of the best emerging designers and it was selected for Camera Moda's Designer for Planet project during MFW.

Please explain which disciplines and/ or knowledge fields were reflected in the design and implementation of your project. Please explain how representatives of these different fields interacted with each other, and what the added value of this process was.
our team is pretty mixed, camilla has a full design and textile background, Alice legal, Andrea financial, Nicole communication and our advisors are focusing on business since decades. We all work together to mix story making with story telling creating a business opportunity.

Please give information on the results, outcomes and impacts achieved by your project in relation to the category you apply for. This includes also benefits from the project for direct and indirect beneficiaries
+ 400 pieces sold with -15% of textiles used for each item in comparison to conventional fashion pieces,
approximately 50000 euros raised thanks to our 0 waste dna,
WORTH 2022 | Vogue YOOX challenge 2021 finalist | Designer for Planet Cameramoda June 2021 | Sustainable Contest Montecarlo Fashion Week 2021 | WORTH 2020 | TheOne Seasonless award for Mittelmoda 2019 | Createx Project 2019 | Mad Mood prize for Ethical Fashion at MFW 2017 | CCA, June 2016 | Recycling Design Preis 2015

Please provide documents showing the results, outcomes and impacts of your project
Web link
Web link
- https://zerobarracento.com
Please highlight the innovative character of the project, when compared to mainstream actions in the field of the project
ZEROBARRACENTO was born with the aim of optimising the textile and fashion production chains by improving the current production processes, but this requires a real mind-shift of both designers and manufacturers.
When Camilla was a young student of Fashion Design at Politecnico di Milano, she was visiting several textile companies and discovered the huge quantities of waste that were produced annually. The fact that such a substantial amount of leftovers were produced by premium companies made her think that she wanted to optimise the textile and fashion supply chains. Ambitious, no?

Please describe the methodology or approach used in your project.
The fashion industry generates a lot of textile waste, and its improper disposal is harming our planet. ZEROBARRACENTO’s designer, Camilla Carrara, strongly believes that zero-waste fashion design is the answer to the dire consequences of the traditional production processes that are polluting our Earth. Zero-waste fashion is about utilising existing materials to their full capacity and not producing textile or other material waste.

Did you know that 15% of textiles go wasted in the fashion production process?

ZEROBARRACENTO was born with the aim of optimising the textile and fashion production chains by improving the current production processes, but this requires a real mind-shift of both designers and manufacturers.

The challenge inherent in the design strategy is to bring together the luxury fit, feel, and aesthetic, within the constraints of zero-waste. Working with zero-waste requires time and a commitment to on-going research. But how does it really work?
Start with a fluid mind and let the fabric guide your creativity, rather than the other way
around, which is the usual approach
2. Measure the width of the fabric you are planning to use, the ultimate goal is to use every
inch of it
3. Sketch out some potential ideas of the pieces you would like to create but be aware of the
fact that some elements could change as you may have to adjust them to the fabric width.
4. Now start working with geometric shapes on paper to create a “puzzle” on all the fabric
surface
5. Play a bit on the dummy to get the best out of your pieces!
6. Start cutting the fabric and stitch all pieces together!
The core goal of ZEROBARRACENTO is to develop a complete zero-waste production chain; starting from sustainable textile production waste, through the development of textiles, and resulting in a small outerwear collection of zero-waste pieces. The brand collections are clean, essential, and Italian - developed in partnership with mindful manufacturers.

Please describe which elements of your project could be replicated or transferred to other places, groups of beneficiaries and context. This may involve for example aspects of the methodology, technology, processes, products, learnings etc.

According to sustainable fashion industry statistics, the market is expected to grow to $9.81 billion in 2025 and $15.17 billion in 2030 at a CAGR of 9.1%.” (The Business Research Company, 2020) The ethical fashion industry is currently worth over $6.35 billion USD, and is predicted to almost triple in less than a decade. “The growth”, says the report, “is mainly due to the growing awareness about using ethical fashion for sustainability.” Our objective is not only to apply our zero-waste system but to propose it as “ready to use solution” for other major fashion brands, making a real impact on the fashion industry. Nowadays, brands are mainly focusing on sustainable sourcing but there are already companies testing responsible design strategies, and the zero-waste design and production can definitely be their next step.

Please explain what kind of global challenges the project addresses by providing local solutions
Every year 92 millions of tonnes of waste are produced by the fashion industry.
15% of wasted materials are produced during garment manufacturing. <1% of the material used to produce clothing is recycled.
Trying to solve this issue, first of all for economical reasons, textile companies now use automatic nesting softwares which enable them to test hundreds of pattern laying combinations in the shortest period of time. Consequently, they manage to gain a few centimeters of fabric but even with the most powerful algorithms available on the market, we are still far from a full use of materials due to the use of non-complementary curves in conventional patternmaking.
The zero-waste pattern making technique eliminates textile waste at the design stage by creating pieces that perfectly fit in a “sort of puzzle”. In comparison to the conventional pattern making technique, where pieces are designed one by one, zero waste patterns are presented as rectangular blocks which represent directly the fabric used, having clearly in mind width and length of the material.
Please attach at least 6 high resolution images (or other types of visual representations, if images are not possible) to your application.
If you would like to upload additional documentation, please upload or write below
- intro zerobarracento_compressed.pdf
By submitting your application you confirm that you are the copyright owner of the images provided and that they can be used by the European Commission for the purposes of promoting the New European Bauhaus on all platforms (websites, print, social media and other).
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that you are not in in one or more of the exclusion situations foreseen under Article 136 of the Financial Regulation.
Yes

By submitting this application, I declare that I am not related to the entities subject to EU restricted measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and subject to Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU)1, and entities covered by Commission Guidelines No 2013/C 205/05), which are not eligible to participate in any capacity.
Yes

By ticking this box, you declare that all the information provided in this form is factually correct, that you assume sole liability in the event of a claim relating to the activities carried out in the framework of the contest, that the proposed project has not been proposed for the New European Bauhaus Prizes in any other category or strand and that it has not been subject to any type of investigation, which could lead to a financial correction because of irregularities or fraud.
Yes

By submitting your application, you guarantee that you are the author or have the rights to proceed with the application and to authorise the use of the project and that you have obtained any necessary consents, licenses or assignments from third parties and included copyright notices when necessary.
Yes

By submitting your application, you understand that all the applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be shared for the purposes of the selection processes, and notably published on the secured platform prizes.new-european-bauhaus.eu and for the purposes of the promotion of these on the New European Bauhaus website and/or other European Commission communication channels. In this sense, the applications would be widely available. Applicants should ensure that they present their projects, in such a way that they could be shared without giving rise to intellectual property related concerns. If your submission is selected as one of the finalists, it will additionally be shared for the purpose of the public vote that will take place. The European Union is granted a licence to use and share your application with the general public and the official external experts for the purposes of the selection process, including the voting. The European Union has the right to use the images and visual materials and the description provided in the application for communication purposes related to the contest and beyond. Rights granted comprise the right to store, reproduce, display, publish and communicate or distribute copies in electronic or digital format, including, but not only, through the internet. Unless you have disclosed your name, the European Commission has no obligation to share your name when using or disseminating your contribution to the public. The European Union cannot be held responsible in case any submitted project, is found to infringe third party’s rights. The European Union shall be neither responsible for the use that third parties may do of the applications or related content.
Yes

By submitting your application, you acknowledge that you read and understand that the ‘Guide to Applicants’ of the NEB Prizes 2023, available online in the website of the NEB Prizes 2023, is an integral part of this application form and that it must therefore be observed when completing and submitting your application.
Yes