Creative Design: Graduate

Patina of Memory: Crafting Sustainable Fashion Through Modular Design and Cultural Revival

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Abstract

The Patina of Memory has an aesthetic inspired by fossils that have been uniquely crafted from nature. The concept was translated into garments via modularity and transformability. The size- and gender-inclusive jacket features removable sleeves and panelling with loops and buttons, allowing the wearer to transform the jacket's size, fit, and appearance. The wearer becomes a sculptor creating their own shapes and personal memory fossils. This adjustability promotes sustainability as the slow fashion garment can be worn for years in many ways. Small wrinkles, twists, tears, or imprints become visible over time as traces of our daily lives in clothing. These memory fossils inspired the designer to distress the fabrics creating a distinct look. The adjustability, material use, and oversize flowy silhouette was informed by the Korean Hanbok. Through this reference, the designer is paying homage to her cultural background.

Keywords: modular, fossils, gender-inclusive

How to Cite:

Cho, E., (2025) “Patina of Memory: Crafting Sustainable Fashion Through Modular Design and Cultural Revival”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18881