Creative Design: Graduate

Relationships: Gratitude and Reciprocity

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Abstract

The design discusses the integration of indigenous values into contemporary fashion, focusing on the theme of relationships. It describes a collaborative design process involving indigenous apparel makers and highlights a dress co-designed with Native American designers to represent relationships. This design initiative blends Indigenous practice with Western fashion techniques, emphasizing sustainability and cultural preservation. The dress features innovative fabric manipulation through the Lace Shadowing technique, which is structured based on the multiple layers of lace to create narrative imagery, representing familial bonds and interconnectedness. Birch bark is used as a structural and aesthetic element, connecting different parts of the garment while honoring traditional materials. The design approach produces a unique garment and contributes to a larger conversation about environmental and cultural sustainability in fashion. It serves as an educational piece that encourages appreciation for Native artistic expressions and crafts, advocating for the preservation of cultural and environmental integrity. 

Keywords: Indigenous people, Relationships, Sustainability, Lace Shadowing technique

How to Cite:

Nikookar, M. & Davis, S., (2025) “Relationships: Gratitude and Reciprocity”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 81(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.18548