Who Pays for Our Clothes? is part of ALT Alliance’s Lifecycle Project, a design research exhibition series examining systems of production, consumption, and environmental impact.

This iteration focuses on the fashion industry, tracing the full lifecycle of a garment, from raw materials and manufacturing to distribution, consumption, and end-of-life. Structured as a one-directional “lifecycle journey,” the exhibition guides visitors through five key stages: raw materials, global supply chain, use phase, end-of-life, and policy & responsibility.

Through a combination of installations, data visualization, material-based displays, and interactive components, the exhibition reveals the environmental and social costs embedded in everyday clothing. Beyond environmental impact, it also addresses broader systemic issues, including labor conditions, global economic structures, and the role of policy in shaping more sustainable futures.

Produced by ALT Alliance and presented at FLOHAUS Gallery, the project situates complex sustainability discussions within an accessible, everyday context, engaging New York City’s diverse communities in a fast-paced urban environment. It reaches local residents, students, and families, while also connecting with cultural institutions, educators, and sustainability-focused organizations.

In addition to the exhibition, the project incorporates a research component, collecting audience feedback through pre- and post-experience surveys to measure shifts in environmental awareness, consumer attitudes, and perspectives on policy. The findings will contribute to a broader research initiative on art-based public engagement and sustainability education.
By integrating art, research, and public dialogue, Who Pays for Our Clothes? invites audiences to critically reconsider fashion, consumption, and collective responsibility.

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