ON WEARING DIARIES AND SCALING PRACTICES: EXPLORING WARDROBE STUDIES IN FASHION EDUCATION

Abstract

This paper seeks to explore ways to promote scalar thinking in the field of clothing and fashion design education for more responsible futures by means of wearing diaries, a method in wardrobe studies. It does so through the case of activities carried in a bachelor level course in Fashion Design called Futurology at the Estonian Academy of Arts. In the course, students collect diary notes on their personal wearing practices during a semester alongside designing future-oriented design proposals for the field of clothing and fashion design. The final reflections suggest that by attuning to personal wearing practices design actions may be scaled to help overcome the great environmental threats posed by current practices related to textile and clothing today. The work contributes especially to the development of teaching and research methods in the field addressed.