Towards Design Recipes to Curb the Clothing Carbohydrate Binge

Abstract

The clothing industry is currently characterized by a fast metabolism, utilizing many resource inputs yet creating few productive environmental or social outputs. The concept of fashion is utilized by the clothing industry like an excess dose of carbohydrates, yielding a short-term high followed by an energy deficit that can only be satisfied by consuming again. The use of emotional attachment as design strategy may enhance the sustainable consumption of clothing, but contextual understanding is needed. This qualitative study explored the contextual nature of clothing attachment, specifically examining the potential of this strategy to meet sustainability aims. The researchers use this investigation to propose two sustainable design recipes: designing for continual engagement, and designing for end-of-life value.