Life as a TV series — 4 hours, 4 collections
This year we are organizing four Summer Camps in VIVISTOP Telliskivi studio. 29.-31. July, we put six sewing machines on the tables, took out all the material from the storage, put out a mini-store, and started with the “Modern Start-Up” camp. In three fast-paced days, four teams made four collections in just four hours.
On the first day, all the children gathered to know all the participants in our innovation studio. We created a comfortable environment for them to express their ideas with confidence. We immediately challenged the young people to find all sorts of opportunities in our rooms. During the idea hunt, they had to find pre-made samples: 3D-printed elements, an embroidered T-shirt, a pop-up shop, examples made with a laser cutter, etc.
We continued our inspiration and invited Mari Martin, the head of Tallinn Dolls and the creator of Fashlab. Mari introduced the participants to responsible consumption and advised on where to get inspiration and design with the team.
In the afternoon, it was time to set a plan for the second day so that tomorrow’s four hours could be used as productively as possible. The busy day was coming to an end, and after a lot of thinking and ideating, we put on our sneakers and learned the house-style dance choreography.
The second day — the most difficult one. We started the day with a game to wake up the body, set up the desks, and all day we could hear the scissors cutting and the sewing machines working.
The long and tiring day was behind us, but an exciting and a little scary fashion show was yet to come. We spent the morning of the third day in Lift99 coworking rooms, where Estonian start-up scene is growing. The children discovered Lift99’s offices, looking for QR codes with hidden tasks, e.g., take a picture with the Mafia wall, interact with the staff, and find the first Starship model.
There were four hours left until the fashion show. With that time, the teams created a website for their collection, for which we did a quick photo session in Telliskivi Creative City. All groups took pictures of their items, which can be viewed on the collections websites — Wear what you want, Late Summer, Seasons and Hidden Triangles.
It was 2.15 PM, and there were 15 minutes left until the fashion show. There was a lot of excitement and a little bit of anxiety. The last finishes and it was time for the last ordeal of the camp. The parents were ready in the café, the sound and lighting equipment was in place, and after a minute the music started. Four collections were shown on the stage for the audience, and the program ended with a dance choreo they learned on the first day.
Throughout the camp, participants have proven to themselves that anything is possible — you have to work as a team and give yourself 101%. We are waiting for all the teams to discover new possibilities of VIVISTOP Telliskivi — to implement their ideas because sewing machines are just the beginning…
Many thanks to our supporters. Thank you, Kalamaja Printsess and Wendre, for increasing the children’s option of materials. Thank you, Uuskasutuskeskus, for a small pop-up shop and sewing machines. Thank you, LaMuu, for making your mouth sweet. Thank you, Lift99, for introducing us to your premises and work culture. Thank you, Särgid-värgid, for making awesome camp shirts. Thank you, Fotografiska Tallinn, for filling our stomachs and having us for a memorable fashion show in a cozy cafe.
Many thanks to the whole team and volunteers — Emma Anette Juss and Mari-Liis Reinsoo.
The camp was prepared by Steveli Säde and Kertu Ilves.
Photos were taken by Vera Naydenova and Sigrid Kägi.
Author of the blog post Steveli Säde and Kertu Ilves.
