Northport Native Launches Kickstarter for Zero Waste Fashion Design Book and Tool System

A Northport resident is bringing 15 years of fashion industry experience to a new book and tool system aimed at eliminating fabric waste before it happens, and she's turned to Kickstarter to bring it to market.

Danielle Elsener, founder of the zero waste design house and consultancy DECODE, launched a Kickstarter campaign on August 17 for Zero Waste Pattern Drafting: With the DECODE Pattern Master System, a 250-page hardcover book with ten garment-specific zero waste pattern systems, a method of designing clothing so that fabric pieces fit together with little to no waste left over from cutting.

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Elsener credits her start in design to Northport High School, where she studied fashion under Mrs. OG, designed costumes for school theater productions, and won awards for her work designing dresses from reusable tote bags before going on to a career in the fashion industry.

Elsener has spent 15 years working in and consulting for the apparel industry, including corporate roles at Nike, Reebok, and Urban Outfitters, and consulting work with Nike, Adidas, Carhartt, Manduka, and Cone Denim. She is also an MFA adjunct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in Manhattan, and co-founder of the Zero Waste Design Collective. Her work has been featured in Dezeen, Fast Company, Hypebeast, Wallpaper, and Sourcing Journal, and she received the Evian Activate Movement Grant, selected by the late designer Virgil Abloh.

The Pattern Master System itself has been used in studios, workshops, factories, and classrooms in the United States, United Kingdom, Japan, and Nigeria over the years Elsener has been developing and teaching it.

Rather than publish through a traditional publisher, Elsener turned down a deal with Bloomsbury to bring the book and tools directly to backers through Kickstarter. "I wanted to be able to bring this to the world in my way, directly to you," she said.

The campaign has already been selected by Kickstarter as a Project We Love, the platform's editorial pick recognizing standout campaigns. Elsener is aiming to raise $34,974 to fund a first print run of 500 copies, with backer rewards ranging from the book itself to bundles that include the physical Pattern Master tools and workshops for individuals, brands, and schools.

The campaign runs through September 16th, with delivery expected in early 2027. More information is available at kickstarter.com/projects/elsener/zero-waste-pattern-drafting-book