TEXT BY TEDDY TINSON

Greg Rosborough & Abdul Abasi // PHOTO BY ANGELA PHAM, BFA.COM

“We’ve been ‘sustainable’ since day one,” shared Abdul Abasi and Greg Rosborough of menswear label ABASI ROSBOROUGH.

The design duo and CFDA + Lexus Fashion* Initiative 3.0 finalists — comprised of military veteran (Abasi) and former professional basketball player (Rosborough) — are rethinking sustainability, and the future of their brand using 3D technology.

This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.

What are you hoping to gain from participating in the CFDA + Lexus Fashion* Initiative?

Rosborough: We’re currently in the midst of Autumn-Winter 2019 production. Winning the first milestone (CFDA + Lexus Fashion Initiative Micro-Award Presentation) was an amazing validation of our sustainability concept. We’re also thinking about the future of the brand post-competition — how we take the learnings of the residency and use it moving forward.

Abasi: We’re really considering the cycle of the design process: using dead stock and natural fabrics; how it’s made; and the impact on the environment. Can it be regenerated? What happens to a garment after someone uses it? Does it biodegrade or go to a secondary market? There’s so much we’ve learned and we’re thinking about sustainability holistically.

How does Abasi Rosborough define sustainability?

Rosborough: We want to have integrity. We source and produce locally in New York City, everything is made in the Garment District on 35th street. But in order to be truly sustainable, you have to be radical and question entire process. How do we revolutionize from the ground up?

What are Abasi Rosborough’s plans to revolutionize the fashion industry?

Abasi: The best way for the [fashion industry] to be sustainable is for “fast-fashion” to go out of business. The best way to be sustainable is to make less. We’re bridging the gap between 3D visualization of garments and limitless creativity using technology – AR, VR, CGI, etc. Instead of guessing what customers want, over-producing quantities and waiting for the weather or season to be right, we’re planning to make virtual versions for customers to see and pre-order. Implementing technology in fashion using data and virtual imaging, we’re closing the loop. We’re not making clothes until we get validation from our community.

Rosborough: Only produce what’s necessary. If it’s sitting on the sales floor waiting to be purchased, it’s not necessary. There should be nothing superfluous. All the stuff we don’t need that we treat as discardable and disposable undermines the world’s future.