MIT Develops Refashion Software to Design Eco-Friendly, Reconfigurable Clothing

Tackling Textile Waste with Modular Fashion Design

Each year, the fashion industry generates approximately 92 million tons of textile waste, largely due to garments discarded when they go out of style or no longer fit. Addressing this challenge, researchers at MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) in collaboration with Adobe have developed Refashion, an innovative software system that enables the design of versatile, sustainable clothing which can be reassembled into new items.

How Refashion Works: Modular and Adaptable Clothing Blueprints

Refashion breaks down garment design into modular building blocks, allowing users to visually draw, plan, and arrange individual components such as sleeves, hoods, or skirts. For example, pants can be transformed into a dress, or a shirt can acquire an attachable hood. This modularity supports easy resizing, repair, and style changes, extending the life of garments and reducing waste.

• Users outline garment shapes using a grid interface called Pattern Editor.
• Customizable modules include features like pleats, gathers, and darts for shaping and style.
• Components connect via reversible fasteners such as metal snaps, Velcro, or brads, enabling quick assembly and reconfiguration without sewing.
• The software simulates garments on 3D models of varied body types, supporting personalized fits.

User Study Confirms Ease of Use and Prototype Creation

A preliminary study showed that both novice and experienced designers could create adaptable garment prototypes—including asymmetric tops convertible to jumpsuits or formal dresses—within around 30 minutes. This demonstrates Refashion’s potential to simplify custom sustainable fashion design and prototyping processes.

Future Directions: Increased Durability, Material Efficiency, and Personalization

The development team plans enhancements including:

• Support for more durable fabrics beyond prototyping materials.
• Introduction of curved panel modules for complex garment shapes.
• Optimization to minimize fabric waste.
• Tools to remix and repurpose existing clothing.
• Computational aids for personalized patchwork designs incorporating recycled materials and diverse textures.

Expert Endorsement and Impact

MIT researcher Rebecca Lin emphasizes the shift from static garments to those designed for reuse from the outset. Erik Demaine, MIT EECS professor and CSAIL principal investigator, highlights Refashion’s potential to democratize custom fashion and promote sustainability. External experts underscore that such computational tools can empower designers to innovate while meeting ecological constraints.

References:
Lin, R., Lukáč, M., & Leake, M. (2025). Refashion — Reconfigurable Garments via Modular Design. Presented at ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology.

Contact:
Rachel Gordon, MIT CSAIL, rachelg@csail.mit.edu, +1-617-258-0675

Discover more about Refashion and sustainable fashion innovation at MIT:
MIT CSAIL Refashion Project | MIT News

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