Designing Garments with Evolving Aesthetics in Emergent Systems.

This paper presents an emergent systemic context in a current research project in which the authors are engaged. The research investigates the design of service-systems that facilitate the evolution of garments through multiple-use lives made possible with the strategic integration of textile decoration, built up in complexity over time, such as digital printing, over-dyeing and embroidery. The projects asks: What if a shirt were designed from the beginning as an integral part of a fashion service system? What if the design of both the product and the system enabled the object's aesthetic to evolve over time? The authors propose a system for iterative surface decoration of garments over time, as an alternative to purchasing additional garments to satisfy desire. Design for partial disassembly is a key aspect of this service-system. The authors argue that a rethinking of the current economic and business systems is required for such a service-system to flourish. Findings from the project so far are pointing to further research questions: What ramifications does an evolving aesthetic have for the role of fashion and textile designers, particularly if multiple designers drive the evolution over a period of time? What are the implications for the relationship between the designer and user in such a service-system? The authors speculate on various business models that would support these design-led approaches, including a sold product-service system, a leased product-service system, lease-to-buy, sold for DIY customization, and informal shared use. The project speculates on factors to make such a system commercially replicable within a post-growth economic system. New language is required in such a systems redesign and the paper makes some propositions in this respect.