Secondhand Fashion Workshops with Ms. Valentina Korbar – Erasmus+ Collaboration

Two packed studio days turned “old” into runway-ready. At the Faculty of Arts & Design, Erasmus+ partner Ms. Valentina Korbar led “Secondhand Workshops: Fashion with Purpose,” where students re-cut, re-stitched, and re-positioned garments to prove that design, sustainability, and business thinking can (and should) coexist.

Instead of starting with mood boards, teams started with constraints—discarded textiles, limited trims, and a clock. Rapid sprints like “Sell Me This Idea” forced clear product stories in 60 seconds, while “Crisis in the Company” introduced supply-chain hiccups and ethical trade-offs that designers actually face. The result: sharper concepts, tighter material choices, and capsule looks that understood both aesthetics and unit economics.

What students practiced in the room

• Sustainable methods: fabric audits, upcycling logic, zero-waste pattern prompts, care-and-repair instructions for buyers.

• Design thinking: user insight → quick prototype → peer test → iterate—documented in process sheets, not just final photos.

• Creative commerce: pricing cues, value propositions, and how to pitch one piece to three different audiences (retail, online, pop-up).

Why it matters for GU
This Erasmus+ visit underlines Galala University’s approach to creative education: learn by making, reflect by measuring, and align studio practice with real environmental impact. Students left with a repeatable method kit and pieces that could live beyond the classroom—pop-up collections, portfolio entries, or seed ideas for micro-brands. It also strengthens GU’s international network, linking local talent to European practice and opening channels for future joint studio briefs and exchanges.