This design collection is raised from my PhD research project “Transitional Fashion via Digital Knitting”.  The concept of transitional design aims to create a new form of modern sustainable garment, which can conveniently adapt to different body shapes or sizes through its own structural changes. The application of digital knitting is the technical basis for achieving this design concept.

 

The two key research focuses include “stretchable 3D fabrics” and “adaptable forms”. On the one hand, a series of knitted fabrics with both extensibility and 3D textures were produced. The variation of the dimensional changes, surface textures, and extensibility of the produced fabrics was investigated. On the other hand, according to the traditional costume forming methods, two approaches tubular construction and rectangular construction proposed. The changing rules of the formed form and its interactive relationship with the body are explored.

 

Based on the learned rules from the two experimentations, the presented design collection that contains six outfits were created. The design inspiration came from the self-organization theory and marine life with alterable forms. Through diverse coordination of the seven basic fabric designs (with a slight adjustment of fabric size), more than 16 pieces of items were produced. The design collection not only demonstrates the unique aesthetical expression obtained from the technical research but also offers favourable foundations for the future development of relative design concepts and practices.