Product History

What?

Articulation to create transparency on product history regarding development, production and potential former use.

Why?

Visible and transparent product history supports emotional attachment between the product and the user.

Challenges

• Information must be sorted and selected and who decides what is relevant?
• Credibility can be challenged on how to avoid, or inform on, information biases.

Examples

• High-end textiles company Wallace & Sewell use their choice of local production as part of the product history build-up.
•  The Wild Concept as the story of fur design based on hunted fur bought of local hunters made by
  Marita Huurinainen.
• The company, Lovia Collection works with a ‘product DNA’ to demonstrate the complexity of the fashion industry and to provide transparency in the supply chain.

Further Reading

Clark (2008). SLOW + FASHION—an Oxymoron—or a Promise for the Future …?. Fashion Theory 12, pp. 427–446.

Niinimäki (2013). Ethical design. In: Niinimäki (ed.) Sustainable Fashion: new approaches. Aalto University, Helsinki, pp. 44-45.