care + content inside

How can the undesirable become desirable?

Every day, heaps of discarded clothing are dropped off at collection centers, often with the intention of donating them. However, few people realize that these items are thoroughly sorted again. Anything that is dirty, has small tears or holes, or shows other signs of wear ends up in the trash. Clothing deemed outdated or unsellable is also discarded. The employees at the sorting facilities make quick, individual decisions: usable or useless, sellable or not.

Many of the discarded items are still in good condition, functional, and attractive.

CARE + CONTENT INSIDE seeks an appreciative approach in design. Clothing that would otherwise end up in the trash is carefully examined and documented both photographically and textually. Based on this, deliberate interventions are made, focusing specifically on the reason for discarding. For instance, if the fabric at the hem of a jacket bulges because the lining shrank during washing, these bulges are reinforced, turning the undesirable into a desirable design element through multiplication. Similarly, if an almost intact, high-quality traditional garment is considered outdated and unsellable, sporty elements are added to transform its character.

The designer’s task is to recognize the quality and potential for transformation in clothing that has been deemed worthless and to make it desirable through individual interventions. Often, a small change is enough to give a discarded piece of clothing a new identity. Perhaps the faded pants are even more beautiful than they originally were?