Stain Story
Stain Story is a participatory design research project developed in collaboration with Fibre Lab in London. Using discarded hospitality towels as our starting point, we explored how stains, wear, and traces of use can carry memories and personal meanings, challenging the idea that damaged or stained textiles should simply be treated as waste.
The project focused on how people interpret material value, and how their stories and experiences could contribute to new ways of understanding and communicating textile waste.
Process
Collaboration with Fibrelab
Participatory Workshops
Participants’ stories, material interactions, and workshop contributions were translated into two final outcomes: the Stain Story Kit and an exhibition garment.
The Stain Story Kit developed the workshop activities into a reusable participatory toolkit, while the garment brought selected stain stories and material traces together into a collective visual outcome. Together, they demonstrate how participatory design can reveal overlooked forms of material value and encourage wider reflection on textile waste.
Outcomes
We designed and facilitated three participatory workshops using stain interviews, embodied activities, material exploration, and storytelling. Participants were invited to interact with discarded towels and share the memories, associations, and meanings they connected with stains and traces of use.