Design and Product Development

Tracking Circus Costume Silhouette Changes Through Time: Visual Archival Research for Functional Apparel Design

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Abstract

Due to the extreme physicality of circus artists' movements and body impact with their various apparatus, it is necessary to devote particular attention to the functional aspects of design in the development of their costumes. Information is needed for the designer to make appropriate decisions about the silhouette, materials, and construction of the garments, and it is important to develop knowledge resources in this area. Archival resources can be used for functional apparel design research if the designer has prior exposure to working with physical performers. Thus, historical artefacts can be used as information sources for designers: from photographs and videos to physical garments, circus materials act as valuable primary references in the design research process. As physical circus costumes may be difficult to access in person, visual materials such as photographs, videos, and circus show programs can be used as references for the development of new designs.

Keywords: Functional Apparel, Circus costume, Archival research

How to Cite:

Du Puis, J. L., (2020) “Tracking Circus Costume Silhouette Changes Through Time: Visual Archival Research for Functional Apparel Design”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 77(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.12105