Renovating Fashion Design Practice: Reflection and Redirection

Abstract

How can provenance be utilised as a tool to develop a way of practicing fashion design? The move towards sustainable and ethical modes of fashion design practice has led to a re-evaluation of the purpose of fashion design. A change in the purpose of design, demands a change in the process of design. The challenge for practitioners of fashion design is developing appropriate methodologies to achieve this goal. Drawing on the theories and methodologies of redirective practice (Fry 2007) and reflective practice (Schon 1983), this paper suggests a template for future fashion design praxis. Within practice-based research, seeing redirection as renovation is a helpful analogy when developing new methods of practicing design. The meaning of renovation in relation to fashion design practice may be explored through the experimental application of three possible strategies: revival, reshaping, and replacement. Embedded within these generative metaphors are fresh approaches to reconsider the utilisation, modification or relinquishment of existing designerly ways.