Great Lake Fibers Network is a research initiative working to support and build a local and sustainable clothing and textile culture and economy. In a semester long series of lectures, films and workshops we will work to gather and share information with the UW Madison community and local community.
With globalization, fast fashion has become the standard for textile and apparel manufacturing often resulting in disposable, cheap consumer goods. Inspired by the success of the local food movement, this project looks to create a viable, sustainable alternative to the current globalized economy of clothing consumption. “Ecofriendly” and “organic” choices have become widely adopted by consumers but now the time is right to focus on closing the loop and creating the goods we consume within our local environment. This collaborative research will explore and identify opportunities for engineering, technical, and infrastructural innovations that can enable a Wisconsin based movement in growing, designing, producing, selling and consuming locally-made clothing and textile goods.
Building a local and sustainable clothing and textile culture and economy