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Thesis Info
- LABS ID
- 00751
- Thesis Title
- Fashioning Accessibility: Bespoke Solutions for Eliminating Ablest Bias in the Apparel Industry
- Author
- Nicholas Paganelli
- E-mail
- pagan813 AT newschool.edu
- 2nd Author
- 3rd Author
- Degree
- MFA
- Year
- 2019
- Number of Pages
- 26
- University
- The New School
- Thesis Supervisor
- Katharine Moriwaki
- Supervisor e-mail
- Other Supervisor(s)
- Jessica Marshall
- Language(s) of Thesis
- English
- Department / Discipline
- Design & Technology
- Copyright Ownership
- Nicholas Paganelli
- Languages Familiar to Author
- English, French
- URL where full thesis can be found
- medium.com/@njpaganelli
- Keywords
- accessibility; 3D design; virtual fashion; industrial systems; inclusive design
- Abstract: 200-500 words
- This paper seeks new solutions for greater inclusion of non-standard body types in the fashion industry. Four research participants from the disabled community have worked with the author — a fashion designer by training and former production manager — to co-design custom suit jackets as a test of a new methodology for industrial clothes making that incorporates 3D body scanning, virtual design tools, and digital knitting. After establishing how the disabled community is excluded from the ready-to-wear fashion system, the case is made for changes in how the fashion industry approaches and implements new digital tools. While capabilities are promising, the industry’s focus on traditional modes of volume centric clothing design and production hinder inclusivity efforts around digital tools. An approach that centers on seeking solutions at the individual level is determined to be the best first step in making the case for larger scale change.