RECLUSE














In collaboration with Rebecca Brusa
Thesis Project, IUAV, 2025
Social Design, Upcycling




Recluse is a collaborative project developed with women from the Il Sorriso community in Fontanelice (Bologna), a rehabilitation community for people recovering from drug addiction. In a five-day workshop, we
co-designed and produced a sustainable fashion collection using textile waste and discarded garments, concluding with a public event.



















More Details About the Project




“Reusing something that already had a life, to give it a second one. It’s a bit like us here. You come from one life and start creating another.” 
— L. (a member of the workshop)
The Project
 Recluse is a social innovation project developed with women from the Il Sorriso community in Fontanelice (Bologna), a rehabilitation community for people recovering from drug addiction.

In a five-day workshop, we co-designed and produced a fashion collection using only discarded garments and textile waste. With just a few tools: scissors, pins, and ribbon, participants deconstructed and reassembled materials into new wearable pieces.

Design here is reduced to the essential.

The project concluded with a public runway event, opening the process to an external audience and creating a moment of exchange.







Collaborators
 [Art & Creative Direction]
Martina Gerardi 
Rebecca Brusa

[Event Organization]
Martina Gerardi 
Rebecca Brusa


[Photos]
Yunus Muhammad




Last Updated 24.10.31
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Video of the Process and the Final Runway Show








Picture of The Event (01.09.2025)




Pieces from the collection


                                                                                                   

Visual Communication   
















Process inside the community








Picture of The Event (01.09.2025)















martina gerardiinstagramlinkedinmartinagerardi@gmail.com

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