Ink on Paper | Performance
Improbable, January 2025, Stanford University

Shopping malls and online marketplaces have fueled the culture of instant gratification, making it easier and faster than ever to purchase new clothes, amounting to 92 million tons of clothes-related waste each year. However, this convenience often comes at a cost: it bypasses a critical question that every consumer should pause to consider—Do I really need this? By encouraging impulsive buying and fast fashion, these systems prioritize quantity over quality, leading to overconsumption and waste, while overshadowing the importance of thoughtful, sustainable choices.

We’re deviating a traditional job application into the realm of fashion. Our work encourages consumers to rethink their purchasing habits by intentionally slowing down the buying process through a thoughtfully designed “clothing application.”

What if clothing companies required this application process to select consumers?

How might your purchasing habits evolve if you had to provide a justification for each purchase before buying from different companies?