Where tailors meet in the digital realm – Tailoring craftsmanship and heritage in a digital era
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
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Date
2024
Department
Major/Subject
Mcode
Degree programme
Master’s Programme in Design
Language
en
Pages
62 + 3
Series
Abstract
The fashion industry's relentless pursuit of novelty through countless seasonal collections with ephemeral designs stands at the heart of this Master's Thesis, which critically examines the unsustainable practices that pervade contemporary fashion design. This work challenges the norm of trends and disposable garments by proposing an alternative approach that emphasises the creation of timeless and permanent pieces. Drawing inspiration from concepts of iconic designs transcending time, such as the Hermes Birkin bag, this thesis argues for the value of permanence in fashion, where designs are not perpetually reinvented but crafted to endure and resonate across time. Central to the theoretical foundation of this exploration is the integration of a permanent collection that not only questions the unsustainable course of fashion but also seeks to establish a deep connection with an archival ethos, thereby reinforcing the importance of heritage, craftsmanship, and cultural expression in the fashion industry. This approach is further informed by the researcher's personal background as a professional bespoke tailor with eight years of experience. Observing the gradual decline of craftsmanship and tailoring, particularly in Switzerland, this thesis reflects a personal commitment to preserving the art of tailoring. By collaborating with a handful of tailors and sewing workshops, the project embodies a tangible effort to sustain the cultural heritage of tailoring and impart its values to future generations. Following the theoretical discourse, the practical application of these principles is manifested in a collection that reimagines traditional tailoring through the lens of modern innovation. As part of a recently founded fashion brand, COLINYVESMEYER®, this collection emphasises brand development strategies prioritising sustainability and timeless design. COLINYVESMEYER® aims to merge the tangible heritage of tailoring with contemporary digital techniques, creating modular garments that embody skilled craftsmanship designed to enhance the wearer's presence without dominating it. Focused on practical application, the project brings to life the enduring values of tailoring and heritage, updated for today's zeitgeist. Offering a high-end tactile exploration of how the past and future can blend, the collection crafts a forward-looking narrative deeply appreciative of our cultural heritage. Striving to create pieces that resonate with both the present and tradition, it presents a contemporary non-binary collection that embodies the essence of this thesis's theoretical foundations.Description
Supervisor
Vänskä, AnnamariThesis advisor
Särmäkari, NataliaBlakaj, Hedon
Keywords
tailoring, craftsmanship, heritage, cultural heritage, archival collection, fashion brand development