Crafted Experiences: Weaving the Craft of Dressmaking into Retail Space

Abstract

The intersection of fashion and architecture centers around the user; it is their interaction, experience, and memory that give a space meaning. With the introduction of fast fashion, clothing retail stores morphed into anonymous spaces with generic designs and became volatile to trends, resulting in a lack of authentic engagement with clothing. Previous academic research has tried to understand the relationship between fashion designers and their clothing, but there is limited literature addressing the reciprocal role of the making of their garments and the spaces in which they are presented to potential consumers. In this line of thinking, this thesis examines how the act of crafting dresses can inform the design of retail space while creating a deeper connection to clothing. Three dresses are designed, crafted, and curated to investigate clothing’s ability to influence the autonomy, emotion, and movement of the body. The finished dresses are conceptualized into architectural retail space, allowing consumers to experience the designer’s intention and creative process. This research aims to deepen the understanding of reciprocal relationships between craft, architectural design, fashion, and the human experience.