For my senior capstone project, I set out to design and construct a clothing system that moves with you; shielding and adapting to the changing weather and activities by focusing on comfort and functionality. This system consists of three layers; a base layer, mid-layer, and outer layer.
Over the course of one year, this project came to fruition, through several stages. Take a look at the process book to see the whole process from beginning to end.
Elevate Every Endeavour
To create an efficient clothing system consisting of three layers that communicate an expressive quality with an intentional relationship to the body and clothing. In addition, each layer is designed individually for outdoor use.
Due to the large scale complexity of the fashion industry, I wanted to explore the market for a wide lens, and from there refine.
What makes tech wear functional and useful; in what scenarios does this type of clothing live What does it look like? Looking at companies making this style of clothing, I needed to define the top brands who were leading this wave of style and where Techwear started.
This aesthetic is becoming more mainstream with different unlikely brand collaborations, increasing buzz. Appealing to several lifestyles: city, travel, outdoor enthusiasts, ect.
Consumer habits are more inclined towards purchasing clothing that is both
functional and style-forward.
The futuristic aesthetic is always prevalent in our society and Techwear is always at the
forefront of emerging style trends.
I also wanted to take the temperature on the user. I wanted to see what activities people were doing outside, what were their favorites, what exactly they were wearing, and how often they spent their time outdoors during the perspective seasons.
To accomplish that, I conducted a survey yielding 36 participants. This information was very helpful by understanding people’s desires and habits related to outdoor activities and clothing.
The respondents said that when being active outside, they prefer wearing multiple layers versus one heavier piece to keep warm.
The most popular activities done outside was walking/running, biking, hiking, and camping.
The style language that the majority of respondents wanted to communicate while being active outdoors was simple, athleisure, sleek, form-fitting.
