Performative interactions between body and dress: thermochromic print in fashion

Abstract

This research explores clothing as interactive tools using dynamic print in relation to garment construction. The research was conducted with four series of garments, produced with leuco dye-based thermochromic inks, tested in an arranged photo session in a semi-public space. The first two series were constructed and printed to create patterns in a rather uncontrolled and random way. In the third and fourth series of garments, the relationship between both conventional print and dynamic print and garment construction were specifically designed to expose parts of the body commonly associated with nudity in traditional western societies. The research showed a possible increase by the wearer in the third and fourth series of garments due to the interactive exposure of the model's body; this was facilitated by the dynamic print in combination with the construction of the garment, which acted inwards, towards the wearer, as a result of its outward expression.