Bob Gramatges

Sustainable Fashion Designer @Tutt Shop

Miami-Fort Lauderdale, FL, US

In 2021 I participated in a workshop at Oolite Arts in Miami Beach, where I learned how to upcycle garments using applique and screen printing techniques.I had previously taken drawing, painting, screen printing, and block printing classes, but applying these skills to fashion spoke to me.In marketing, we spend a lot of time figuring out how to create value for our target audience. It\'s all about giving people what they want from you based on their needs and desires. While I enjoyed learning to draw and paint visual art pieces, there was something magical about applying the same skills to transform clothing.Suddenly, comments about my design work went from \"oh wow, that\'s cool\" to \"omg, I want that.\" That\'s when I knew this could be more than a hobby.Since then, I have honed my sewing skills and learned how to upcycle secondhand garments using cutting, distressing, dyeing, printing, and mending techniques.Aside from the pleasure it brought me to transform forgotten garments into outfits people want to wear, upcycling and sewing became my entry point to circular fashion, adding an even larger purpose to my design work.Circular fashion is about extending product lifecycles and offsetting the waste and pollution from manufacturing new clothes. While manufacturers and established design houses work on making their practices more sustainable, consumers can take matters into their own hands by adding vintage and upcycled clothing to their wardrobes. At tutt shop, we help you feel good about your clothes. Miami is the US city most at risk of rising sea levels due to climate change. Your wardrobe choices today can help reduce your environmental impact.