Challenging perceptions of fast and slow fashion: 1960s paper dresses and the concept of disposable garments

In this talk, Liz and Hannah explored how historic models of fashion and textile manufacture can inspire new sustainable models for both manufacture and consumption. Using the paper dress trend of the 1960s as a starting point, they discussed how garments with purposeful short-term life-cycles could offer new sustainable opportunities - matching a garment's use phase to the longevity of the material it is made from.

This talk used a material culture approach to explore original 1960s paper garments, alongside a critical analysis of the sustainability of their manufacture and disposal.

Liz and Hannah argued that the current paradigm of slow fashion as the only antidote to fast fashion must be challenged. Instead, the fashion and textile sector must consider a range of solutions to the environmental burden of fast fashion that are human-centred and sympathetic to all consumer demographics and needs.