My Fossil Free Wardrobe

Textiles are complex materials, made with sophisticated techniques. They are not only functional but also aesthetic products. Comfort and emotion play a key role in consumers' choices. The challenge is to combine this with sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives.

Exhibition

As a consumer, you have the power to make more conscious choices. The exhibition “My Fossil Free Wardrobe” , organized by Wageningen University & Research, can guide you. It contains a combination of activities. One of them is a portable home-made clothing exhibition, shown for the first time at the Dutch Design Week, with studies around consumer behavior and communication strategies. The exhibition shows that textile production wasn't always this polluting. It takes you through the history of textiles, from natural fibres to the synthetic materials we know today and offers a glimpse into the fibres of the future.

Past:

In prehistoric times, people only used natural materials. Animal skins and plant fibres like hemp and flax were among the first raw materials. Prehistoric people could already spin yarns from flax and hemp. Later, textiles from cotton, wool, and silk were developed. All these natural fibres are breathable and feel comfortable on the skin. This situation remained unchanged for millennia.

Present:

In the 19^th century, artificial silk fibres like viscose and acetate were developed, followed by fossil-based synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon in the 20^th century. Synthetics are cheap and easy to use. Their properties can be tailor-made for specific applications, and they can have many shapes and forms; this is a nice feature that natural fibres do not have. Unfortunately, synthetics fueled the rapid growth in the textile industry, and now we need to seek alternatives to fossil-based resources.

Future:

The future of textiles lies in improving sustainability: materials made from renewable or recycled sources that are durable and recyclable. They also need to be biodegradable, so they do not add to the plastic soup. As a consumer, you can already make more mindful choices by buying less, purchasing second-hand, or using your clothes longer.

Dutch Design Week

During the exhibition at the Dutch Design Week, we discussed the different types of textile materials with the visitors. They often reflected on their own behavior. A question frequently heard was “What is the best choice?”. The complexity of the topic means that there isn’t a single right answer. Sustainability regarding textiles is complex and sharing that there are countless ways to get started in the right direction, gave visitors a sense of hope. It motivated us to continue working on this important topic.

Textile Surgery

During a textile surgery, visitors can discover the hidden world of their garments, by having them examined by a team of experts. From sustainability of the materials used to the impact on society, no aspect is left undiscussed during this in-depth analysis. By better understanding what our clothes are made of, we can buy clothes more consciously. Together, we can make a difference for more sustainable textiles.