Threads of Memory : Building Emotional Attachment Through Clothing Narratives

In the context of fast fashion and a culture of disposability, clothing is often stripped of its emotional and material value. This thesis explores how storytelling can serve as a design strategy to enhance deeper emotional connections between people and their garments, with the aim of extending the lifespan of clothing and encouraging more mindful consumption. Through a combination of participatory design methods, workshops, and material experimentation, this project investigates how personal narratives influence the way individuals perceive, value, and engage with their clothing. The outcome is the development of StoryTag, a physical, open-ended tagging system that invites wearers to document and share the stories behind their garments. Rooted in a meta-design framework, the project does not propose a fixed product, but a system that can grow, adapt, and be shared across different contexts such as clothing swaps, secondhand spaces, or personal wardrobes. By embedding storytelling directly into the garments themselves, the project aims to disrupt the cycle of fast fashion by reintroducing care, memory, and personal meaning into the everyday act of dressing.