Using Cocreation to Engage Everyday Creativity in Reusing and Repairing Apparel

Abstract

With textile waste growing, it is increasingly important to consider creative ways to reuse and repair clothing. The purpose of this study was to use co-creative methodology to explore what opportunities exist to encourage more personal creativity when reusing and repairing discarded clothing. The qualitative research uses levels of creativity (do, adapt, make and create) defined by Sanders (2005) as an initial framework for understanding the participants’ creativity and aspirations for reusing and repairing clothing. There is a growing desire to be creative, and the motivation and requirements drive the creativity for each individual (Sanders, 2005). Co-creative research methods were used in a series of qualitative visual interviews and creative workshops with women between 21-60 years old. The findings of this research supported co-creative research methods for textiles and apparel and revealed opportunities to encourage creativity in reusing and repairing clothing through participants’ ability to adapt their current wardrobes.