Strategies and tools for the integrated and circular enhancement of textile goods

The Fashion and Textile Living Lab Too Cool to Go Wasted is a laboratory at the Politecnico di Milano that promotes the transition to circular and sustainable models in the textile and fashion sector.

It is configured as an open innovation ecosystem in which companies, designers, researchers, institutions, and citizens jointly develop concrete solutions to address the environmental, economic, and social challenges of the textile sector.

The laboratory operates along the entire value chain, from the transformation of raw materials to the end-of-life management of products, with a systemic approach that enhances materials, processes, and skills.

The Living Lab operates on three integrated levels:

Co-creation and Open Innovation

Activation of collaborative processes for the development of new sustainable services, products, and infrastructure between companies, designers, institutions, and citizens, through workshops and co-design platforms that promote the interdisciplinary exchange of skills and resources.

Competence Centre

Targeted support for businesses in the transition to sustainable models, through applied research, specialist training, and strategic consulting to integrate the circular economy into business activities.

Demonstration and awareness raising

Dissemination of processes, methodologies, and best practices for circularity in the textile supply chain, through educational activities and awareness-raising initiatives aimed at businesses, citizens, and institutions.

what we do

The Fashion and Textile Living Lab develops research, design, and stakeholder engagement activities based on a circular and systemic approach to managing materials, products, and knowledge throughout the entire value chain of the textile and fashion sector.

Through competitive research projects, applied research and public engagement, we support the industrial transition towards a circular economy model, facilitating the implementation of methodologies, technologies and services aimed at optimising resources and reconfiguring processes throughout the entire life cycle of textile products.

The Living Lab's activities related to design are divided into four modular operational areas, which are interconnected and adaptable to the contexts and actors involved:

Ativate

Train and Engage

We promote a culture of sustainability as a driver of social and environmental change. Through educational activities, participatory programmes and active citizenship practices, we encourage the acquisition of skills, visions and behaviours geared towards ecological transition. Each initiative becomes a laboratory for collective learning and experimentation with new ways of relating between people, institutions and territories.

Synergise

Co-produce and Innovate

We activate collaborative processes throughout the textile supply chain to generate shared innovation. We bring together designers, businesses, and artisans in co-design and distributed manufacturing processes that aim to reduce waste and enhance local resources. Through these connections, we promote the development of circular and resilient production models that integrate knowledge, technologies, and communities.

Enable

Enable and Integrate

We provide tools, methods, and working environments that enable operational sustainability. Through digital toolkits, collaborative platforms, and literacy resources, we support the adoption and integration of sustainable practices in research, design, and production processes. In this way, sustainability becomes a shared language and a widespread skill throughout the entire supply chain

Revalue

Redistribute and Reactivate

We experiment with distribution, consumption, and service models that redefine the relationship between value, use, and durability of textile products. We promote regeneration and traceability practices, along with exchange and return platforms that foster new connections and opportunities throughout the supply chain, thereby reactivating flows of materials, knowledge, and relationships during both use and post-use phases.

our activities

We design circular strategies, tools, and practices to rethink how textiles and fashion are produced, used, and valued.

Voices from the wardrobe

Design explorations on fashion, identity and material storytelling

Su.Re Digital Hub

A data-driven platform for sustainable retail strategies

Su.Re Toolkit

Participatory design tools for sustainable retail and circular servitization

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more activities

who we are

The Fashion and Textile Living Lab Too Cool to Go Wasted's Department of Design area focuses on developing design solutions for sustainability in the textile sector, with a particular focus on fashion and furnishings.

Through applied research, the laboratory works on transforming products, processes, consumption, and distribution models, promoting circular and cultural practices.

As an interface between research and the local area, it actively collaborates with businesses, artisans, institutions, and local communities to generate concrete impacts throughout the entire textile supply chain.

Department of Design

Focused on innovative design solutions and sustainability culture for the transformation of products, processes, distribution models and consumption practices.

Discover the team

Scientific Coordinator:

Valeria M. Iannilli | Full Professor, Department of Design

Project manager:

Alessandra Spagnoli | Assiciate Professor, Department of Design

Team

Chiara Colombi | Full Professor, Department of Design

Erminia D’Itria | Researcher, Department of Design

Chiara Anceschi | Research Fellow, Department of Design

Francesca Bonfim Bandeira | Research Fellow, Department of Design

the space

The Fashion and Textile Living Lab Design headquarters has a new space on the Bovisa Durando Campus, in building B4. It is an open space where people can experiment, meet and exchange ideas.

Here we conduct research and organise talks, workshops, exhibitions and events dedicated to sustainability in the textile sector. It is a shared workspace for design and discussion between universities, businesses and communities.