Designing for User Empowerment Through an Involving Process

This article contributes to the discussion about how theoretical perspectives on change in the fashion system can be translated into practice. The discussion is raised based on experimental and practice-based research on how designers can engage with users to gain insights on material and aesthetic experiences in about use. The presented research is based on design experiments that indicate how designers advantageously can increase their awareness of different aesthetic preferences and body shapes. This perspective suggests considering the use phase as a part of the design process to encourage user empowerment as part of the sustainable transition that the fashion industry faces. It also indicates that designers and companies should be aware of the potential of user dialogue and how this knowledge can be translated into a sustainable business model while fostering a user empowering approach to the use of garments.