Final thoughts
My undergraduate study focused on fashion design for three years, encompassing the entire process of design thinking. In my current postgraduate course, the curriculum starts from the very first brief, asking ‘What change I want to see?’ This prompted me to rethink the entire fashion industry and the challenges I encountered in my previous design experiences. Initially, I thought this topic was within my comfort zone, but as I delved deeper, I gradually stepped out of that comfort zone and discovered that the reuse of secondhand clothing is indeed a substantial and existing issue. Then I tried asking myself, what can I do about this?
I had heard about concepts regarding sustainable fabrics and the sustainability cycle in clothing, but my knowledge was limited, and I didn’t have a profound understanding. For this research, I specifically reached out to Tingting Han, Head of Sustainability for LVMH in China, and Kealan, Manager at the British Heart Foundation in the UK. Throughout this process, I gained a deep understanding of how sustainability is managed in China and the UK concerning the repurposing of secondhand clothing instead of discarding it. I learned a lot and received valuable advice from my tutor, which helped me refine my steps in this research.
I believe that the reuse of clothing remains a significant issue in China, and this is not an end but a beginning—the road ahead is still long. Throughout the two-year learning journey, I’ve acquired critical thinking skills and the ability to think independently. I intend to carry these skills into my future life and work. I express my gratitude to my tutor, experts, all stakeholders, and the audience who participated in this project.