Collaborative Fashion Project with the Artisan; Changing Tradition into Contemporary Design

Abstract

This project aims to create collaboration opportunities between fashion designers and the craftsmen in in Gorontalo, North Sulawesi, Indonesia,. In this process, Sulam Karawo (Karawo Embroidery) from South Sulawesi have been developed into a new concept of contemporary design that suit the demand of global market. Through a series of collaborative workshops, the designers will use a skills sharing approach to introduce the narrative of design, incorporating many factors such as trend, design and usability through the adaptation of colour, motif and yarn type. To research on the project, monitoring and reflecting process has been taken throughout the stages of the collaboration. This study allows designer to contribute to the community as well as to help to grow the creative industry sector and functioned as a knowledge transmission of design skills in product development. Through the incorporation of minor changes to their creative process, the craftsmen will be developing textile products with an end-market in mind, facilitating a retail opportunity. The future impact of the project lies in the development of design and the process will help the craftsman to think beyond the creation of their product, ensuring that it meets the needs of a target market.