Creative Design: Professional

Look Closely

---

Abstract

Denim is a widely used textile with significant social, functional, and semiotic history. It continues to be one of the most-worn textiles in the world and is found in eveningwear, accessories, jeans blended with spandex, and more. Here, denim is used to explore the intersection of technology and craft to develop a unique aesthetic, while the process reveals how digital technology further integrates textile design, garment design, and construction processes. The resulting garment is a denim jacket with an engineered laser-cut lace motif, paired with a slip dress. The sturdiness of denim is in contrast to the delicate quality of lace, illustrating the capability of transforming the textile using both traditional cutting methods and contemporary tools such as the laser-cutter. Throughout the process, the researcher moved between the physical and digital environment for design ideation and final garment development, maximizing the capabilities of both the hand and digital tools.

Keywords: Denim, Engineered Design, Laser-cutting, Lace

How to Cite:

Riewe, K., (2022) “Look Closely”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 78(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.13587