Between 2009/ 2010, 501,000 tonnes of leather and textiles were sent to landfill.  These statistics represent the percentage of material waste that was not recovered or repurposed. Leather that is usually disposed of can be utilized in innovative ways to create something that has a strong appeal. ‘Studio Dingo’ has a sustainable ethos, focusing on small batch production utilizing leather off-cuts using a unique weaving system removing the need for labor intensive hand-stitching. The narrative of the project pursues the idea of ‘Mottainai’ a Japanese term that expresses a deep regret for material waste.
By exploring the relationship a user has with a product; the project goal is to discover how we develop sentimental feelings or a strong attachment to an inanimate product. Our incessant desire to consume is only increasing, but why is this? ‘Studio Dingo’ encourages users to depend on the brand for repairs and replacements with an attractive range of products that employs leather off-cuts to create high end, bespoke artisan bags with 3D printed stainless steel interchangeable fastening hardware.

‘Studio Dingo’ will feature a limited run of products under a united collective and each range is due to have an underlying theme. Additionally the theme and goal of this project is concerned with leather waste within the local fashion and upholstery industries. This is in an effort to realize how we can avoid short product life-span and excessive landfill through the process of developing unconventional techniques to breathe life into unused materials.