Using Printed Palm Leaflets in Modern Crafts according the International Fashion Trends

Abstract

Egypt is one of the most important and oldest countries in the world that is known for producing dates, because date palms are available in all the cultivated areas of the country. Taking in account the date palm by-products (such as palm leaflets), this paper focuses and outlines the utilization of palm leaflets in making modern crafts and accessories in a creative way (“out of box”) and at the same time following the international fashion trends. This utilization can result in benefits like achieving added economic value in two ways: creating trendy modern fashionable crafts and achieving the concept of “zero waste”. Palm leaflets can be mixed and matched with fabrics and leather waste according the design idea. By using techniques of textile printing and dyeing to create more attractive designs according the trend, which can be employed in the palm leaflets and fabrics, a variety of innovated designs are created and can be applied in modern crafts according the international fashion trends for making accessories according the season. Also, dyed palm leaflets are mixed and matched with printed fabrics and leather wastes generating very unique up-cycled products in modern crafts and fashion accessories. At the end, a boxy bag prototype is implemented according the proposed outlines as a final product made from woven leaflets mixed with waste of fabrics and leather up-cycling. The main purpose of this paper is to highlight making fashionable accessories products according to the international fashion trends using mixed media as up-cycling product from (printed & dyed palm leaflets according the color of the season), waste of fabrics and waste of leather. Introduction Cultivation of date palms (Phoenix dactylifera) in Egypt goes back to thousands of years. Agricultural operations on date palm, like pollination, are known at least since 2,500 BC. In Egypt, date palm is cultivated and grown everywhere. Date palm grows in warm weather countries and has a tall trunk with a mass of long pointed leaves at the top [1]. Egyptian people use the parts of date palms in many things, like using palm leaflets in plaited cradle [2]. Nowadays date palm plantations are spread out all over country; wherever water is available. Egypt has more than 15 million date palm trees and is considered the world biggest producer of dates. It has a long heritage of utilization of date palm by product since ancient times [3]. The palm leaflets have been collected from the palm trees and dried by a traditional way, then woven as palm leaves folding (Fig. 1), so after that they can be used in many things, such as creating and making new ideas in modern crafts (such as, bags and accessories), furniture, tables sets and many other creative productions. These creative industries may be made by traditional or modern way with a unique and different concept according the international fashion trends for making accessories according the season. By-Products of Palm Trees and Their Applications Materials Research Forum LLC Materials Research Proceedings 11 (2019) 333-342 doi: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644900178-29 334 Fig.1: Egyptian date palm tree parts of the leafways of weaving leaflets [4][5]. Purpose of the research Making unique modern crafts (bags and accessories) from printed and dyeing date palm leaflets according to the international fashion trends for the season spring/summer (S/S) 2018, So printing and dyeing the palm leaflets is just for making catchy fashionable colors . Applying textile printing, dying methods and techniques as only helping method in coloring and decorating the date palm leaflets, which could be mixed with fabrics and leather waste, for creating modern crafts (bags and accessories) by implementing the concepts of “Zero Waste” and “up-cycling” using these materials. The research deals with only the innovation and creativity in using different materials in designing bags according the season trends focusing mainly on Palm leaflets. Methods and ( Methodology ) of the research The research used a mixture of experimental and analytical methods: Experimental methods The researcher used experimental method by implementing textile dyeing and printing (methods and techniques) in many kinds of palm leaflets weaving according to the design of the type of bag or accessory, and the purpose of this step is to produce many colors of palm leaflets that meet the international fashion trends of the season. The researcher made some suggested sketches ideas for bags according to the international fashion trends S/S 2018. The researcher implemented one only prototype from the ideas, using printed palm leaflets, waste of fabrics and leather to make an “up-cycled” product according the international fashion trends in bags and accessories . Analytical method The researcher used the analytical method in studying the results of using traditional manual dyeing and printing methods in coloring palm leaflets to meet the colors of the season (international season colors S/S 2018). The researcher chose the best result and the most suitable printed palm leaflets for the accessory piece (Suggested implemented bag) in both sides (design, color trends and performance requirements). By-Products of Palm Trees and Their Applications Materials Research Forum LLC Materials Research Proceedings 11 (2019) 333-342 doi: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644900178-29 335 Literature review The international fashion trends in bags and accessories The international fashion trends are very relevant for fashion industry. International fashion trends mean what is hip or popular at a certain point in time. While a trend usually refers to a certain style in fashion or entertainment [6]. The international fashion trends lead the market to meet the client requirements and needs. Bags and accessories are very important elements for fashion industry. Palm bags are an important essential for Summer Fashion Trends 2018 according to many of the international fashion trends reports and many other sources in the fashion industry. Many brands have shown their new collections summer 2018 and lay emphasis on the bags and accessories made from hand-woven palm as environmentally friendly products. This can diminish the wastes derivate from palm trees and also follow the international fashion trends, sustainability and environment requirements (Fig. 2). According to 20 fashion trends for spring/summer 2018, the usage of palm leaf in handcrafts and manufacturing is essential in this season. Also, according fashion trends 2019, palm leaf is also an important and essential fashion trend and very good inspiration source for textile printing, which can be used in bags and accessories beside other trends like tie-dye [7–13] (Fig. 3). Fig. 2: Bags and accessories made from palm leaflets according the international fashion trends (international brands S/S 2018) [8] [12] [15]. By-Products of Palm Trees and Their Applications Materials Research Forum LLC Materials Research Proceedings 11 (2019) 333-342 doi: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644900178-29 336 Fig. 3: Bags and accessories made from palm leaflets as an important source of inspiration for modern handcrafts and accessories designers through many seasons [13]. The international fashion trends in bags materials as modern crafts The international fashion trends in bags and accessories deal with everything related with colors, silhouettes and collection materials, which were presented at some important trade fairs in Milano (Italy), offering a preview of what designers have got as inspirations for their spring/summer 2018 footwear and leather accessory designs. And there was plenty of inspiration to be found. Leather was still the main attraction with a multitude of new patterns and finishes. But the rise of non-leathers could not be ignored. New meshes and neoprene versions catapulted materials into the future, whereas natural straws, raffia and hemp promoted eco-friendliness and sustainability [14] [15]. So, using natural materials like palm leaflets is so trendy in fashion industry and can add value to the product by implementing the concepts of sustainability and eco-friendliness. The international fashion trends and the big brands realized very well the raise of consumer awareness of these concepts and how implementing them, can help increase consumer loyalty to the brand, especially sustainability and eco-friendliness, which become a worldwide demand and necessity. Experimental methods Using textile dyestuff in dyeing palm The researcher implemented some methods and techniques of textile dyeing and printing in coloring the weaving palm leaflets, to make different colors and effects on them. These obtained colors and designs differ from each other according to the idea and the implementation of the designs. Also, the researcher made these designs according the international fashion trends in patterns and colors of bags and accessories. The researcher used reactive dyes in coloring raw palm leaflets, fiber reactive (Procion type Dyes). The dye is powder; the employment of dyes as follows: The reactive dyes were in powder form and then dissolved in water. The liquor ratio was 15 g dyestuff reactive dye: 1 liter of water. Step 1: As known for reactive dyes, it should be started in a neutral medium when the dye does not react either with the fiber or with the water to prepare the dyestuff solution. Step 2: After washing the woven palm leaflets with warm water (Fig. 4), they were immersed into the dyestuff bath for (25-30) min. Step 3: Common salt (NaCl) was added to the reactive dyes, dissolving it in the bath, and then the woven palm leaflets were left in the bath extra (25-30) min. Step 4: Finally, the fixation of the dye was done by alkali addition (sodium carbonate or soda ash -Na2CO3). As the dye is already exhausted into the palm leaflets, it is not be available for By-Products of Palm Trees and Their Applications Materials Research Forum L