This master's thesis discusses the issue of socially responsible design in the fashion industry with an emphasis on the ecological and ethical perspective as well as the user's perspective. Over the last few years, the role of the designer has changed greatly due to the situation in the fashion industry, as they are no longer just a designer, but have become a mediator, promoter, activist, entrepreneur and much more. Even though people are becoming increasingly aware of what is going on in the fashion and textile industry, only a few of them actively apply this knowledge in practice.
The purpose of this master's thesis is to design Vivre, a clothing brand characterized by 100% biodegradable fabric, which is made from a natural vegan biomaterial developed by me as part of the thesis. The material is based on natural polysaccharides and is part of the circular economy because it has recyclable and biodegradable properties. The appearance and the structure of the material are most reminiscent of leather. All the included parts of clothing (buttons, buckles) as well as all the products after processing of the Vivre brand are solely of natural origin and are biodegradable.
This thesis presents my multifunctional fashion collection of garments and accessories that find inspiration in the thought-provoking collages by Joe Webb, a socio-critical British artist. The collection owes its inspiration for functional details and silhouettes to military uniforms. The collection is a source of inspiration or one of the guidelines for sustainable design, while it also critiques the current conflict with the crisis in the fashion industry and reveals new areas of reflection for the designer. It also includes sensory design in order to revitalize the neglected sensory perceptions. Today's world relies primarily on visual perception due to digitalisation, while the other senses are often neglected. The perception of touch and smell is also added to the collection to emphasize clothing’s big potential on the level of mental health and psychological well-being. An exclusively oculocentric perception of clothing takes away a lot of its power. Essential oils are added to the material because it has been proven that their scent has a positive effect on our mood and our physical and cognitive performance. At the same time, I also want to improve the user's psychophysical well-being with the concept of clothing as a hug or a pleasant touch.
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