The Care and Repair Guide: Reducing environmental impact
and addressing skills gaps through responsible wardrobe management
The project aims to explore the critical relationship between consumers, brands, and the charity retail sector regarding garment care, repair and second-life ownership to encourage responsible wardrobe management. Collaborating with UKFT and St. Oswald’s Hospice, the project will empower stakeholders with foundational skills to facilitate sustainable clothing behaviours intended to extend the lifetime of clothing. Key outputs will include a care and repair guide and workshops to activate critical intervention points. Upskilling tools will impart training opportunities about care and repair practices and responsible garment management within communities and domestic settings, including washing, repair and ownership behaviours.
Project leads: Prof. Anne Peirson-Smith & Dr. Alana James
Job titles:
Anne Peirson-Smith - Professor & Subject Lead in Fashion
Alana James - Associate Professor in Fashion
Organisation: School of Design, Northumbria University
Additional Partners:
- Lauren Junestrand - Innovation and Sustainability Network Manager (UKFT)
- Adam Mansell - CEO (UKFT)
- Vicki Tomlinson - Charity Sales Executive (St. Oswald's Hospice Ltd.)
Project timeline: 1st November 2024 - 30th April 2025
Duration: 6 months