A video made to communicate the "Localizing Global Garment Biographies" research project, funded by the Dutch National Science Agenda (NWA). The term ‘biography’ here refers to the history of a garment – the story it tells.

The NWA funds projects that aim to utilize scientific knowledge to tackle large societal challenges. It encourages projects that bring together researchers, educational institutions, NGOs and companies.

The project explored the cultural and economic significance of clothing, tracing the evolution
of garment production and usage from local, long-lasting items to today’s fast fashion and globalized production.

Involving Dutch and Indian fashion and design students, and Indian textile producers, the project aimed to bridge the experiential gaps within the global garment chain. To facilitate this, the project has experimented with digital tools that encourage communication between garment users and producers.

The globalization of garment production has a long history, making this project a perfect fit for the NWA’s Living History track. Inspired by historical and contemporary garments from Museum Rotterdam’s collection, the project challenged students to explore what garments
mean to them, and how they connect to their origins.

By linking previously disconnected narratives, the project aims to bring about positive changes in the garment industry, promoting fair and sustainable practices.@en