ITAA - KSCT Joint Symposium

Memory-Driven Customization for Sustainable Fashion: Enhancing Emotional Attachment Through User-Centered Design

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Abstract

This study explored how emotionally driven customization can enhance emotional attachment to garments and promote sustainable fashion practices. Using a qualitative methodology, the research investigates how embedding personal memories—through photos, music, text, and symbols—into clothing design affects long-term garment retention. Ten college-aged participants engaged in interviews and iterative design processes, informing the development of a memory-based customization prototype. The system featured tools like mosaic and ASCII art, enabling users to abstract personal data into socially wearable prints. Key findings reveal that emotional attachment strengthens when users engage deeply in the design process, especially when their garments reflect meaningful personal narratives. Participants favored abstract visual representations that preserved privacy while fostering emotional resonance. The study concludes that memory-driven customization supports emotional durability, reducing premature disposal and encouraging mindful consumption. These insights provide valuable guidance for designers and brands seeking to create personalized designs in the fashion industry.

Keywords: Emotional durability, Garment retention, Customization, Emotional design

How to Cite:

Jiang, L. & Zhang, L., (2025) “Memory-Driven Customization for Sustainable Fashion: Enhancing Emotional Attachment Through User-Centered Design”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 82(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.21859