This practice-based thesis approaches the practitioner’s
process of utilising non-clothing materials within the fashion system from two
angles, one as the theoretical researcher and the other that of the research
practitioner. The former perspective provides an a study of the contexts in which
non-clothing materials have been utilised within the fashion system thus far, while
the latter perspective seeks to investigate the practitioner’s design rationale and
process.

The theoretical aspect of the research shows a spectrum of practitioners and
explores the different ways in which they have utilised non-clothing materials
within the fashion system. Non-clothing materials have been utilised within many
different categories of fashion. This theoretical aspect while providing a brief
historical overview focuses mainly on the contemporary context for the utilisation
of non-clothing materials within the fashion system, and also examines the works
and design processes of current practitioners in this area of design.
The findings of this research indicate that there is a lack of fashion design literature
rooted in the practitioner’s perspective. As most of the authors of existing literature
have no experience as practitioners, they tend to focus on the end products rather
then the development of the creative process. Using self as the main case study,
the practice aspect of this research investigates the design rationale and process
involved in the creation of an inspirational catwalk collection by integrating nonclothing
materials into fashion. It begins with the research, sourcing, experimenting,
juxtaposing and combining of a variety of non-clothing materials, and continues
with the development of various design and construction methods to create
garment silhouettes and new materials simultaneously. This practical aspect
provides first hand data of the design rationale and process as well as the market
considerations of the fashion system.

Finally, the research demonstrates increasing demand for individualistic and
unique products. It also confirms that a target audience does exist within the
fashion system for fashion items created from non-clothing materials.
This thesis seeks to make a contribution towards existing knowledge about the
creative design process of practitioners utilising non-clothing materials within the
fashion system. It illustrates that the design process is a systematic evolution of
ideas and experiments, which includes a critical relationship between material and
design. The research findings also suggest a need for better representation of the
fashion practitioner’s perspective and process within fashion literature to create a
more informed understanding of the fashion system.

A print copy of this thesis is available in the GSA library.