Jean Parsons

Creating a More Ideal Self Through the Use of Clothing: An Exploratory Study of Women’s Perceptions of Optical Illusion Garments

Using an exploratory approach, the current study, theoretically grounded in the self-discrepancy theory, investigated a woman’s perceptions of her body shape. The purpose was to understand how garments created with optical illusion prints or patterns affect women’s perceptions of body shape. Fifteen women were body scanned to determine their body shape and participated in an in-depth semistructured interview while viewing a personalized avatar (created from their body scan) depicted in the seven different optical illusion garments created by the researcher. Data analysis revealed six themes: (1) perception of self, (2) clothing and the body, (3) defining ideals, (4) preferences by body shape category, (5) effects of wearing optical illusions, and (6) a more ideal self. The results from this study indicated that optical illusion garments do effect the visual perception of body shape and can result in the perception of a more ideal body shape.

Historical Patents as Inspiration for Digital Textile and Apparel Design

This research used historically informed analysis as a framework to examine studio design practice. Discovery of a historical patent for a coat made from a single pattern piece led to an examination of United States coat and jacket patents to identify past patternmaking explorations that could inform current design practice, with a focus on those with one pattern piece. These patterns allowed large expanses of cloth for surface design, especially for creation of engineered digital prints on a single canvas, and opened up avenues for creative experimentation. The research objectives were to analyze the patterns for shape and accuracy of fit, to evaluate them as a beginning point to inform future patternmaking and design approaches, to engineer digital prints for prototypes, and to create aesthetically appealing designs that could be produced with minimal fabric waste. Digital copies of the patterns were created, tested and compared, with a focus on evaluation of critical fit points and the potential for further creative development. Prototype designs were generated from the patent patterns, with some faithful to the original patent and others moving away from the patentee’s intentions, although keeping the pattern shape. Digital prints were then created and engineered for the patterns. This investigation also reoriented traditional apparel design practice by placing pattern manipulation at the beginning of the design process, and made design development contingent upon research objectives. At the same time it confirmed that research through design is not linear, and that studio practice also informed the objectives.