Design for Better Lives“ – Agora und Gathering
AGORA: FASHION FOR DEMOCRACY.
Design for Better Lives“
Location: Designhaus, Eugen-Bracht-Weg 6, 64287 Darmstadt
In 2026, this project will be an official part of the World Design Capital 2026 program: “Design for Democracy – Atmospheres for Better Lives” in the Frankfurt Rhine-Main region.
AGORA – Fashion for Democracy – Design for Better Lives at Designhaus Darmstadt became a powerful space for dialogue, imagination, and collective visions of how fashion can become a driver of global solidarity and justice beyond the current industrial system.
Fashion for Democracy: Design for Better Lives is a collaborative project and event series that explores how principles of democratic participation can reimagine global fashion paradigms. We focus on alternative fashion systems and practices—including small sustainable brands, activist networks, heritage and craft projects, repair cafés and skill-sharing initiatives, research projects, and many others—that are already driving the shift away from mass fashion. Our vision of a positive fashion future considers the needs and voices of all, placing degrowth and regeneration at its core. Through AGORA discussion formats, digital publications, and a festival within the framework of World Design Capital® 2026, we communicate feasible and more equitable perspectives for fashion and culture.
With:
Zinzi de Brouwer, Dr. Francesco Mazzarella, Felix Kosok, Isabella Rhein, Hajar Agrad, Marion Röttges, Sandra Niessen, Cecilia Palmér, Tilly Wolfe, Daniel Caulfield–Sriklad, Renate Stauss, Sevgi Karkın, Veronika Buranyi, Fiona C., Tanita Hecking, Laura Rohloff, Christian Fayek, Juliane Kahl, Jasmine Link, Verena Westernacher, and Sabine Kaldonek.
Together, we explored how principles of democratic participation can reshape global fashion paradigms—toward greater justice, creativity, and care.
The first AGORA was only the beginning—a foundation for further research, collective exploration, and a shared positioning for the path ahead. I can hardly wait to continue this journey: building on the inspiring outcomes of the workshops, we will further deepen and develop Fashion for Democracy as part of WDC Frankfurt Rhine-Main 2026 – Design for Democracy: Atmospheres for Better Lives and beyond.
Funded by the City of Science Darmstadt.
Artwork: Beatrice Steimer.
Photo: Ben Kuhlmann.
A cooperation between
Gefördert von der Wissenschaftsstadt Darmstadt.
Artwork: Beatrice Steimer.
Foto: Ben Kuhlmann.
A cooperation between Hessen Design e.V. Beneficial Design Institute and Fehrenbach.Holistic Sustain within the framework of World Design Capital Frankfurt RheinMain 2026