Co-Designing Restorative Apparel
Team: Dr. Elizabeth (Missy) Bye (PI), Mansoureh (Sophie) Nikookar (Designer), Sage Davis (Designer), Delina White (Designer iamanishinaabe)
Program: Apparel Studies
The textile and apparel industry has used an economic model of “take-make-waste” producing an excess of products that hold minimal value in comparison to the depletion of our environmental and social resources. Industry efforts have started to develop a circular model where garments are designed for extended wear, designed to be repaired, and designed to be recycled or returned to the earth. Indigenous apparel makers were interviewed to identify and understand the core values of sustainable apparel-making related to gratitude and reciprocity.
This project builds co-design partnerships with two Indigenous apparel makers to co-design six garments that exemplify traditional approaches to modern restorative apparel. We will work from the core values of Relationships, Connection to the Land, Community, Spirituality, Healing & Identity, and Sustainability. Together we are developing wearable garments that tell a visual story of gratitude, highlighting these core values. These are not intended to be ‘art’, but realistic examples of how a designer or customer might practice gratitude in how they make or purchase a garment. The garments will be used to teach and communicate with MN citizens about alternate ways to practice sustainable apparel use through public exhibitions.
Keywords: Co-design; Restorative Apparel; Gratitude; Reciprocity
Funding: Imagine Fund Grant
