Thesis
Exploring aesthetic durability and renewable textiles as an approach to sustainable design
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2016
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100229
Abstract
This design project contributes a design approach to sustainability using aesthetic durability and renewable textiles. The first part of this thesis was an exploration of an emerging textile made from bacteria. Bacterial cellulose is being studied as a renewable material that has little impact on the environment. The study explored the creation of this textile and established whether or not it is a realistic replacement for traditional textiles. The second part of this study produced women's ready-to-wear clothing using traditional renewable textiles like wool and silk, keeping in mind styles that would last not just in a physical, durability sense, but also in a fashionable sense too. Silhouettes were natural; styles had ease for comfortable movement allowing multiple body types to wear the garments; vintage and simple designs reduce the possibility of falling out of fashion; cutting pieces on the bias was used to utilize the natural stretch of the bias grainline; closures were avoided in order to reduce the pieces of the garments that could break or need replacement; small details added to overall enjoyment; and luxury fabrics enhanced overall aesthetics and perceived value. Using high quality, durable materials that look beautiful and are very durable added to extending the lifespan of the garments, reducing the likelihood of premature disposal, contributing overall to the sustainability of the collection. Visual outcomes include the experimental bacterial cellulose textiles, and the physical garments created; photos of the garments worn by models of various sizes; and artistic accessories made from the bacterial cellulose textiles. This design research illustrates how design can be part of a sustainable solution. When garments appeal not just to durability but also to fashion they are more likely to be worn for a longer period of time, and make better usage of the resources used to produce the textile.
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Details
- Title
- Exploring aesthetic durability and renewable textiles as an approach to sustainable design
- Creators
- Devon Helen Wood
- Contributors
- Carol J. Salusso (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Apparel, Merchandising, Design and Textiles, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525293601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis