Integrating Light Elements in Fashion: Practice-Based Design Approach

Abstract

In history, the relationship between fashion and technology has influenced the ever-changing silhouettes of the body, the quality of materials used to construct these silhouettes, and the colors giving liveliness to the material. Today, influenced by the digital revolution and innovation in advanced materials, the fashion industry benefits from the increasing possibilities of technology to develop alternative functions even to the most conventional dress forms, such as wedding gowns. This integration, which necessitates the contribution of different know-how and expertise, also provides a creative platform for developing interdisciplinary, practice-based design research and applications. In this study, an innovative wedding dress using light as a design element was produced with the joint contribution of designers and engineers based in Izmir, considered the capital of bridalwear in Turkey. This project, which considers light as a new design element that increases the expressive power of the dress, aims to offer an alternative to both the wedding dress category and the existing examples incorporating light technologies. In accordance with the main framework, research questions, and project design concept, the study conducts a literature review examining current design examples using different light technologies (LED, optical fibers, etc.). Following this, the stages of design, sample development and production processes are presented with relevant visuals. It is believed that this study, whose research, design development, and production processes are shared in detail, will set an example for future interdisciplinary projects. © 2023, Tekstil ve Muhendis. All Rights Reserved.