Garment Biographies
An innovative initiative that connects diverse audiences through an interactive online platform, showcasing the rich heritage of garments while inspiring sustainable and circular fashion practices.
This innovative project, inspired by the heritage garment collection of Museum Rotterdam, aims to create an experimental online platform accessible via smartphones. Designed with a multilingual interface, the platform invites a diverse audience to delve into the rich history, materiality, and transportation of unique garments. It also serves as a space for global commentaries from users and creators alike. By weaving together local and global garment biographies, the project connects previously isolated narratives, highlighting heritage objects to inspire transformative behaviours. Ultimately, it seeks to promote fair, sustainable, and circular garment chains, fostering a more conscious and interconnected approach to fashion.
Objectives
The project aims to engage the residents of Rotterdam in creating compelling historical biographies that explore the origins and journeys of garments. By connecting these narratives to the experiences of Indian textile producers, the initiative seeks to illuminate the ethical and environmental impacts of clothing production and consumption. Utilizing a range of digital tools, the project will share these captivating biographies, creating meaningful connections between users and producers while enhancing understanding of the garment's journey.
Impact
Social
This project fosters a sense of pride among Indigenous farmers, like Shyamala and Neeli Gangayya, by showcasing their stories and contributions. As they witness their cotton transformed into T-shirts, it strengthens community bonds and empowers local voices, reinforcing the belief that every individual and community deserves opportunities to thrive and dream big.
Ecological
By emphasizing transparency in the garment industry, the project highlights the sustainable practices of Raddis Cotton farming. Tracing the journey of T-shirts from farm to fabric encourages environmentally responsible production and consumption.
Economic
The project promotes economic empowerment by connecting local producers to global markets through the online platform. By showcasing the stories behind garments, it creates demand for ethically sourced products, enhancing revenue for smallholder farmers and artisans.
This project is a collaborative research initiative involving key partners: Leiden University, The Netherlands; Museum Rotterdam, Zadkine, Modemuze, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands; Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands; and Erode College of Arts and Sciences.
This innovative project, inspired by the heritage garment collection of Museum Rotterdam, aims to create an experimental online platform accessible via smartphones. Designed with a multilingual interface, the platform invites a diverse audience to delve into the rich history, materiality, and transportation of unique garments. It also serves as a space for global commentaries from users and creators alike. By weaving together local and global garment biographies, the project connects previously isolated narratives, highlighting heritage objects to inspire transformative behaviours. Ultimately, it seeks to promote fair, sustainable, and circular garment chains, fostering a more conscious and interconnected approach to fashion.
Objectives
The project aims to engage the residents of Rotterdam in creating compelling historical biographies that explore the origins and journeys of garments. By connecting these narratives to the experiences of Indian textile producers, the initiative seeks to illuminate the ethical and environmental impacts of clothing production and consumption. Utilizing a range of digital tools, the project will share these captivating biographies, creating meaningful connections between users and producers while enhancing understanding of the garment's journey.
Impact
Social
This project fosters a sense of pride among Indigenous farmers, like Shyamala and Neeli Gangayya, by showcasing their stories and contributions. As they witness their cotton transformed into T-shirts, it strengthens community bonds and empowers local voices, reinforcing the belief that every individual and community deserves opportunities to thrive and dream big.
Ecological
By emphasizing transparency in the garment industry, the project highlights the sustainable practices of Raddis Cotton farming. Tracing the journey of T-shirts from farm to fabric encourages environmentally responsible production and consumption.
Economic
The project promotes economic empowerment by connecting local producers to global markets through the online platform. By showcasing the stories behind garments, it creates demand for ethically sourced products, enhancing revenue for smallholder farmers and artisans.
This project is a collaborative research initiative involving key partners: Leiden University, The Netherlands; Museum Rotterdam, Zadkine, Modemuze, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands; Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands; and Erode College of Arts and Sciences.