MOOSEOFFICE

This project was submitted by the innovation studio Yeswecan, together with Mooi Festival and the art school LUCA. It aimed to strengthen the sustainability and image of the Antwerp's fashion sector.

The project examined the possibility of a living lab for circular fashion in Antwerp. This lab worked out an innovation programme to produce a local Antwerp sneaker. It used local materials, expertise and the infrastructure of Antwerp players from various disciplines. It stimulated the start of a circular economy ecosystem in Antwerp that could evolve into local ambassadors and experts in circular design, innovation, communication, content and business modelling.

The project resulted in a successful case study. The principles of local, circular and participatory design were applied together. With the city's support, three fully local and circular pairs of sneakers were designed and developed.

Meetings with industry experts quickly revealed that the footwear industry faces major challenges in terms of sustainability and recycling. Mooseoffice will therefore continue to explore how this case study can be an inspiration for the wider footwear industry.

This has recently led to the launch of a VLAIO Living Lab with a number of partners around Recare about shoes: This project responds to concrete challenges in the footwear sector to extend the life of shoes through maintenance and repair. To this end, digitalisation is being used as a lever.