FURTHER RESEARCH - Mario Cadenas and Modular Clothing

Some of the main points that stuck with me after reading Mario Cadenas's Thesis on Modular Clothing- Reform are:

1. He states that Modular use clothing is part of a circular economy business and economic model and instead of the garment being discarded at disposal stage, the garment is "reinvented" by the consumer, lengthening its possible life-span. This prevents garments from entering disposal phase.

2. Cadenas states that in order to extend the lifespan of garments that designers must find ways to strengthen "emotional durability" - This is a concept that is very new to me. Emotional durability is about examining what makes somebody more likely to get emotionally attached to a product - if a person is emotionally attached to something they will refrain from discarding the item, ensuring that it does not enter the disposal phase.

3. He also explains how "transformable and participatory design" strengthens this bond - if a person participates in the design of a product then they will be more inclined to build emotional durability. If they get visually fatigued with one style, the garment can change, thus extending the lifespan.

4. Sustainable and ethical clothing labels often are "preaching to the converted." Cadenas points out that "Even if consumers lack knowledge or indicate little concern about sustainability, transformable/modular garments have the potential to encourage them to engage in sustainable behaviors without their awareness (Pg 22)."

These points brought on a light bulb moment for me and made me view sustainability in clothing in a much different light. I really like the idea that the consumer plays an active role in bringing the garments to life. I would like to focus on these elements moving forward, not just in this project, but in my creative practice as a whole.