Abstract This position paper draws upon and expands the research presented in the special issue of the journal Utopian Studies ‘Utopia and Fashion’, guest edited by the author. The issue examined the under-researched relationship between fashion and utopia through the lens of Ruth Levitas’ concept of utopia as method for exploring alternative scenarios for the future. With reference to key lines of enquiry in ‘Utopia and Fashion’, this paper demonstrates how utopian thinking can be a helpful tool for examining some of the dilemmas and ongoing challenges in the current discourse on fashion and sustainability. Focusing specifically on reducing fashion consumption, the paper builds on empirical evidence provided by author’s current practice-based research on emotional durability of clothing. The metaphor of One Dress, a utopian vision of one garment for life, then helps to examine the possibilities as well as the boundaries of attempts to radically reduce the number of items in our wardrobes. The overarching argument here is that the inherent complexity of our relationship with fashion and clothing requires stronger activist agendas in both design thinking and user behaviour. To direct our actions to solutions that address the core issues of unsustainable consumption rather than its symptoms, we need a shift in focus from materials and product development to everyday experiences of people who wear clothes while facing an entangled world with numerous and often contradicting demands. This paper aims to further the discussion on the potential of utopian thinking to re-imagine and inspire better and more sustainable futures of fashion.

中文翻译：

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一件连衣裙：用乌托邦思维塑造时尚未来

摘要 本立场文件借鉴并扩展了作者特邀编辑的乌托邦研究杂志“乌托邦与时尚”特刊中的研究。本期通过 Ruth Levitas 将乌托邦概念作为探索未来替代方案的方法的视角，研究了时尚与乌托邦之间研究不足的关系。参考“乌托邦与时尚”中的关键探究线索，本文展示了乌托邦思维如何成为检查当前时尚和可持续发展话语中的一些困境和持续挑战的有用工具。该论文特别关注减少时尚消费，建立在作者当前基于实践的服装情感耐久性研究提供的经验证据之上。一件衣服的比喻，一件衣服一生的乌托邦愿景，然后有助于检查从根本上减少衣橱中物品数量的尝试的可能性和界限。这里的首要论点是，我们与时尚和服装关系的内在复杂性需要在设计思维和用户行为方面采取更强有力的激进议程。为了将我们的行动指向解决不可持续消费的核心问题而不是其症状的解决方案，我们需要将重点从材料和产品开发转移到穿着衣服的人们的日常体验，同时面临着众多且往往相互矛盾的需求的纠缠世界。本文旨在进一步讨论乌托邦思维在重新想象和激发更好、更可持续的时尚未来方面的潜力。然后有助于检查从根本上减少衣橱中物品数量的尝试的可能性和界限。这里的首要论点是，我们与时尚和服装关系的内在复杂性需要在设计思维和用户行为方面采取更强有力的激进议程。为了将我们的行动指向解决不可持续消费的核心问题而不是其症状的解决方案，我们需要将重点从材料和产品开发转移到穿着衣服的人们的日常体验，同时面临着众多且往往相互矛盾的需求的纠缠世界。本文旨在进一步讨论乌托邦思维在重新构想和激发更好、更可持续的时尚未来方面的潜力。然后有助于检查从根本上减少衣橱中物品数量的尝试的可能性和界限。这里的首要论点是，我们与时尚和服装关系的内在复杂性需要在设计思维和用户行为方面采取更强有力的激进议程。为了将我们的行动指向解决不可持续消费的核心问题而不是其症状的解决方案，我们需要将重点从材料和产品开发转移到穿着衣服的人们的日常体验，同时面临着众多且往往相互矛盾的需求的纠缠世界。本文旨在进一步讨论乌托邦思维在重新想象和激发更好、更可持续的时尚未来方面的潜力。