Convertible dress

by Helen I H - December 21, 2019

Here are the details of my 4th-semester final project which is the experimental convertible multi-occasional dress. The whole collection uses a transformational design concept, which is also functional without removing one or more layers to change the look.

The collection name is Semper Pulchra, which means "always beautiful" in Latino (semper: always, pulchra: beautiful).

CONCEPT

Transformation refers to an alteration of figure, form or structure into something different without loss of substance to achieve new aims. The aim is to make one dress become multi-occasional with a transformation concept that allows customers to wear various styles with one garment.

TREND RESEARCH

This collection is made in February 2019, so that the season used is for the upcoming A/W 2019/2020. The trend is taken from WGSN, which has three major themes in this season: Purpose, FreeStyle and Light Magic. I used Light Magic as the main aim of this collection.

The Light Magic trend has two options of outfit volume: free-flowing or structured. Here I focused on creating a free-flowing volume that is suitable for applying the transformative design.

INSPIRATIONS

Husein Chalayan Fall 2013 Transforming Dress

HOW DOES THE DRESS WORK?

The dress consists of two different looks: the day look and the night look. The day look is suited for daily wear and day events, while the night one is suited for evening dinings and other late events.

As seen in the video, the day look is a dress consists of a top with a puffy skirt. Inside the puffed skirt, there is another layer which will be the night look. The puff silhouette is caused by the drawstring closure, which will release the layer inside if it is pulled. The drawstring is pulled and release to change to night look. The second layer is made with lightweight and flowy material to make a dramatic change.