Document Via: Development

Development

Brand Manifesto

In order to create structure for ourselves and the project, a brand manifesto was created that acted as our guideline for each decision made throughout the project.

Fact

The rate of consumption in the fashion industry is at an all time high, resulting in significant environmental impact. Most consumers are not fully educated about the clothes they buy. Change has to be created on all levels to create a brighter future.

Change

We want to be as honest and open with our practices to our users from start to finish. We aim to bring back the notion that things should be made well, made to last, and help develop a better personal relationship with the user. Encouraging our users to embrace giving their own life to our product beyond their initial purchase.

Values

Buying less but better quality, lasting product is better than more product for worse quality. Furthermore, clothing should be made for all and not a specific type of person. Ultimately, creating a strong relationship between the user and the garment is paramount.

Commitment

Speaking our mind about the current climate of fashion and keeping our users aware of our processes. Through the use of lasting materials and construction methods, we will create product that lives and develops with the life of our user. Developing classically-informed styles that will outlive the lifecycle of trend-specific competition.

Inspiration

Sketching

Two outfits would focus on warmer and cooler temperatures, allowing us to explore the broadest scope of garments to design. Each outfit comprised of 2-4 separate pieces that would interact with one another while still being transformable in their own right.

Outfit Breakdown: Field

Focusing on warmer weather, this outfit draws from the workwear aesthetic. The first piece in this outfit is a reversible shacket, with a white micro-corduroy on one side, and a brown jersey on the other. The second piece is an overall that breaks down into a pant and shorts. Furthermore, the bib of the overall can be converted into a tote bag via a hidden zipper.

Outfit Breakdown: Fog

Focusing on colder weather, this outfit draws inspiration from classical military cuts. The first piece is an M-65/Macintosh coat hybrid that can be altered to be worn cropped or at full length. The second piece is a cotton sherpa fleece vest that is fully integrated into the jacket. The third piece is a trouser that can be tapered via snaps along the outseam. Lastly is a leather harness bag system that can be worn as a full harness, cross body bag, or fanny pack.

Prototyping

Tote Overall v1

This prototype explores the main construction of the pant portion of the overall. The reinforced knee was omitted on this prototype in order to focus on general construction. The hem at the waist was left raw after determining that the rise of the garment was too high to add an additional panel for the waist.
Tote Overall v2

This prototype was made to finalize the construction of the entire garment, beyond just the pants. The bib in the prototype functioned primarily to reference scale and fit on the wearer, with the strap slider configuration as placeholders for the final piece. The hems at the leg opening were left unfinished to allow for further length adjustments to be made on the wearer when tried on.
Shacket

The prototype explores the construction of a two-way, reversible garment. This was accomplished through multiple seam fold overs. The hem was left unfinished for reconsideration of shape. Constructed using organic cotton linen.
Harness Bags

These prototypes were constructed with canvas and garden webbing to explore rough form and pliability of the end material. Multiple other prototypes were also constructed to determine smaller detailing. Harness configuration was also determined on dress forms for best fit and largest amount of customization.
Hybrid Jacket

The prototype jacket explores the fusion of the M-65 field coat with the traditional cut of a Mackintosh trench coat. The four exterior storage pockets of the M-65 were reversed to the interior for the streamlined look that the Mackintosh retains. The collar remains the same while the cuffs were changed to straight cuffs. Length was added to create the trench look.
Sherpa Vest

The prototype functioned primarily to explore the details of the final garment. A variety of topstitches were tested to explore how the look of the vest would be altered. Pocket size and webbing snap closure spacing was also altered.
Taper Trouser v1

This prototype was constructed and modified from a pair of existing work pants. The inseam and outseam were cut to add an extra strip of material which would house the female side of the snaps for tapering.
Taper Trouser v2

This prototype was created to determine the final form of how the trouser would fit. The male end of the snaps located on the rear panel of the trouser were added after the main trouser was constructed in order to determine the best placement when worn.

Sourcing

With prototyping complete, each fabric was carefully sourced to reflect the material, finish, and color that we had envisioned. Each fabric had to be organic or recycled, as well as durable.