The Wardrobe Hack
www.wardrobehack.com
The Wardrobe Hack (2014) developed by researchers Jennifer Whitty and Holly McQuillan explored the emerging field of enriching the fashion user experience utilising digital platforms for disseminating and extending this engagement. The 'Wardrobe Hack' site provided a service for empowering and sharing clothing user stories and systems. We currently have a situation in society where there is low participation with clothing, as clothes are disposed of rapidly. This research sought to address this situation to create a better integration of clothing and meaning in our lives. Its aim was to get to the heart of the current issues in the fashion industry and propose positive alternative roles for designers and consumer. Ezio Manzini (1997) has long declared that sustainability is a societal journey, brought about by acquiring new awareness and perceptions. Guy Julier (2008) makes a case that design activism builds on what already exists. In keeping with this thinking this research project was developed with direct participation from members of the public.