Learning key to move the needle in a fast fashion

New research from the University of Exeter and Wolverhampton says learning how clothes are made has a “transformative” effect on people’s relationship with fast fashion.

The research was part of a University of Exeter Arts and Humanities Research Council grant. ‘S4S: Designing Sensitivity for Sustainable Apparel Project.’

Experts from the University of Exeter and the University of Wolverhampton asked people in Cornwall and the West Midlands how they feel about clothing and shopping, and how the workshops will affect their feelings, thoughts and actions. As part of the research, they collaborated with community spaces, mentors offering workshops, video shoots and the NGO Fashion Revolution.

The study, published in Journal of Material CultureIn order to encourage more sustainable behavior, he says, people should be given the space to learn, rather than teach, what he describes as “accepted values ​​and behavior.”

“The main reason to avoid fast fashion is the realization that clothes and the materials they are made from are expensive and involve energy and time. After the workshop, people expressed a desire to downsize their clothes by buying quality goods that they want to last longer or choosing not to buy anything for a longer period of time,” says Exeter. .

Professor Claire Saunders, from the University of Exeter, added: “Inviting people to immerse themselves in the fabric of clothing, we’ve found transformative connections that can be nurtured and nurtured. The workshop helped the participants to become more ‘fluent’ as textile creators and enjoy doing these activities.

Earlier this year, the European Commission’s independent advisers urged the European Commission to adopt a fast-fashion approach.