This map shows the Richard Stump Cooperative Fashion Factory in Nottingham in World 14. In this world, more and more countries have pledged to keep the production of clothing within ecological limits. In connection with this pledge, the UK government has placed import tariffs on clothing and introduced subsidies to support local and regenerative manufacturing.
The factory, which has been run as a cooperative of workers and users for over twenty years, provides accessible skilled garment production to local designers and individuals. The cooperative’s commitment to regenerative practices has led to various initiatives, including the gathering of local textile waste for re-use, the development of skills through informal events and formal education, energy self-sufficiency, and networking with similar organisations in other towns and cities.
The factory is a vibrant neighbourhood hub of activity and fashion excellence.
This Exploration was contributed by Sally Cooke, Mats Siffels and Amy Twigger Holroyd (located in UK and the Netherlands), developed from a World contributed by Louize Harries, using a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International licence which allows others to share and adapt the work in any medium and for any purpose, providing that they credit the authors and share their material using the same Creative Commons licence.
The Exploration was inspired by Doughnut Economics and the layers represented in the Design for Business tool.
Does this World remind you of something?
I am keen to hear about any historical or contemporary real-world examples – whether individual practices, subcultures or mainstream activities – that this fiction brings to mind.
Please share any such examples using this form. Thank you!