FORECASTING FASHION
MERGING FASHION AND TECHNOLOGY SPRING / SUMMER 2018
GENDER NEUTRAL COLLECTION: MODERN COMFORT
By
Jeremy Jiang Yong Joon / F15FD0088/ FD4A2
A research paper submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for
Course Number: DFS2204
NANYANG ACADEMY OF FINE ARTS
The modern living has a number of advantages which includes the change of the standard of living in the present due to the development of high technologies. The different modern life style patterns affect a person on their health physically and mentally.
The modern way of living is extremely stressful. This is due to specific reasons, like insufficient rest. The lack of physical activities lead to health issues. The frequent use of modern technology is the way of modernity. The use of machines definitely has its pros and cons. Consequently, the high demand on comfort in today’s consumers increases the stress level, eventually, leading to depression.
 |
|
Figure 1 - BIRDHEAD's
unique documentary approach entails lensing a huge volume of photographs that
capture a board range of subjects, including the diacritic snapshot of their
daily lives, activities, and travel.
|
The desire to have a better lifestyle constantly increases as people are never satisfied, and are often finding ways and means to develop something better. This action eventually leads to the rise of fetishism. In reference to the picture from Gillman Barracks (See Figure 1), it depicts a modern photographer expressing his lifestyle. I personally feel that the image is an illustration of fetishism, as the woman is nude, and lying in a cloud setting. It symbolizes something spiritual, and the grey color accompanying it brings out a sexual yet relaxed mood. Based on my research in fetishism in fashion, the fetishism is a theory of substitution of our daily lives as one of the inevitable element to modern living style.
This led me into researching androgynous fashion and the discussion on the important considerations in the development of my own trend forecasting in modern living. “How has a growing acceptance of androgynous fashion impacted upon an upcoming trend?” By understanding the significance of normalizing androgyny and how it propels acceptance in the concept of gender fluid fashion, this helps me to create a fashion trend that celebrates androgynous individuals and endorses a modern concept, in hopes of encouraging people with gender identification crisis to be proud of who they are. In order to find out about the consumers’ shopping behaviors, it is essential to have sufficient knowledge. Only then, this knowledge can be applied into my trend to promote gender neutral clothing with modern concepts and reach a trend where people dressing effeminately becomes a norm, allowing the freedom for them to openly express themselves.
 |
Figure 2 - Pink Dot, supporting freedom of love, Singapore.
In the present local zeitgeist, “The Pink Dot” has been fighting for the freedom of love for years in Singapore (See Figure 2). I aspire my trend to play a part to bring society together as one from the disparity of judgement of gender identity and sexual orientation issue. The trend developed is undeniable influenced by androgynous fashion that is combined with a modern concept to break away from the norm. The traditional arts and crafts have been my source of inspiration.
The need for modern comfort is conveyed through the inspirations originating from the eighties and soft colored pastels. Comfort, an essential element, is conveyed through oversized outerwear with soft fabrics. Hence, I wish to create a nostalgic modern trend with big silhouettes.
 |
| Figure 3 - The 1980's 1000 Piece Puzzle, cultural heritage. |
I have chosen this picture (See Figure 3) because the artist captured the essence of fashion and sports, as well as the celebrities and politicians in this era. Undoubtedly, the 1980s has been a significant milestone in the LGBT history, as this decade saw a major shift towards the emergence of global gay culture. Different people were becoming more vocal and expressive in who they were, and gender neutrality started to become an adoption. All these were referenced from the rich tapestry in that period (The Reagan Years: 1980s: Growth of Community: Gay Life from Local Theatre to International Sports Games).
After thoroughly studying these pictures, I have predicted 8 colors, by creating an image mosaic in reference to the image of the 1980’s puzzle piece. The mix of pastel colors accompanied with the mood of comfortability is a representation of what I oversee my trend would be. It represents the comfort in oneself, and the courage in embracing what one truly believes in.
 |
|
Figure 4 – Lady GaGa
Dress. Nancy Tilbury is one of the pioneers emerging modern technology and
fashion together with her team at studio Xo – Creating Digital Couture
experiences which in basic terms means creating garments that are interactive
and evolving.
|
From the image on the left (See Figure 4), Lady Gaga is seen wearing a modern engineered garment, which enables water bubbles to be created on their own. The modern technology that is engineered will be the future heights for creating garments.
In conclusion, my trend for Spring Summer 2018 is the concept of modern comfort accompanied by the influence of culture, recreating and manipulating objects, creating an ad-hoc aesthetic in tactility nostalgic style.
The infusion of DIY, the process of deconstruction, reconstruction, customization and construction with modern technology fascinates me, and I am constantly finding ways to improve on this idea, and applying it into my trend.
The revival of unisex garments, as well as the layering of flower prints, glitters, lace, mix and matching enhances the modern technology such as movement sensors and heart rate sensors, creates a
whole new mood and look. The modern engineered garment will not only look provocative and modern, but also fully functional, and will lead to an improvement of our health. This will be driving a new generation, as there will be a significant amount of reaction to the increasingly popular androgynous fashion and culture infusion. Also, the prejudice between people will be balanced, thus leading to a mutual respect between peers as well as social harmony between different races.
 |
Figure 5 - Fashion Illustration
|
To better translate my trend, I have done an illustration (See Figure 5). In this illustration, the model is faceless as it represents the gender neutral movement, and that there is no definite difference between a man and woman. The society is constantly improving, and changes are being made every day. I chose to illustrate the model wearing an oversized outerwear stitched with soft nostalgic colored fabrics as it was a representation of the 1980s silhouette. The outerwear is layered with delicately hand sewn flowers on flower prints and embellished with glitters as it represented the 1980’s 1000 puzzle and the breakthrough in the LGBT community. The collar design with layers of lace with mixed and matched fabrics along with enhanced technologies such as heart rate and movement sensors presents a modern demi couture experience. These clothes, are genderless, and can be worn by anyone.
Bibliography
Figure 1 – Birdhead. Photography image taken from art museum
Figure 2 - Pink dot. (n.d.). Retrieved February 17, 2017, from https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/pinkdot2016_honglim.jpg
Figure 3 – The 1980’s 1000-piece puzzle. (n.d.). Retrieved March, 2017, from http://www.mastgeneralstore.com/ProductImages//a7f688f4-751c-4cc8-9a66-408911447449/images/ProdDetail_Retina_22363.jpg
Figure 4 - Lady GaGa Dress. (n.d.). Retrieved March, 2017, from http://www3.pictures.zimbio.com/pc/Lady Gaga seen magic bubble machine outfit TAmPgsEvmB-x.jpg
The Reagan Years: 1980s: Growth of a Community: Gay Life from Local Theatre to International Sports Games. (n.d.). Accessed. April 03, 2017, from http://picturethis.museumca.org/timeline/reagan-years-1980s/gay-lesbian-rights/info
