Textiles, connection and meaning

Why do some items of clothing remain safely housed in our wardrobes whilst others are quickly relegated to opportunity shops? This paper will investigate the practical, emotional and nostalgic connections people make with their possessions. This understanding will be used to suggest ways in which we can better design and promote textiles for the fashion market. Textiles for the body can be functional, fashionable, symbolic or a combination of the three. The method of ‘slow design’ will be used, as a vehicle to explore ways that ensure textiles meet the practical and emotional needs of consumers for the long term. Slow design follows a holistic approach where each stage of the design process is carefully considered. Bespoke, well-crafted design can be appreciated on a variety of levels increasing the bond between object and owner. A garment with cultural significance purchased whilst on holiday has an emotional advantage over a cheap poorly made garment purchased on a whim during lunch hour. The holiday purchase becomes a nostalgic reminder of travels, experiences and people. The cheap disposable garment has an immediate purpose, to protect, or to project an awareness and acceptance of fashion. Fast fashion is consumed in a similar way to fast food. Its job is to satisfy immediate needs, not to nourish long term. Opportunity shops are currently overwhelmed with cheap disposable fashion due to a continual wave of desire and disappointment. If designers can connect with people on multiple levels the desire for quantity over quality may be reversed and relieve the drain on resources