Stephy Fung, Digital Fashion

This lecture raised some interesting questions about the distinction and differences between art and design. Two seemingly similar yet different fields which require a slightly different mindset. My personal distinction is that one is often more personal and concept driven whilst the other involves problem solving for a client and must generally have wider/mass appeal.

This raises the question of: Is digital fashion still fashion or is it art?

How do we define fashion? For me one of the most important elements of fashion is the physicality of it, being able to put a garment on the body. I do think studying knitwear has had an affect on this view point. Knitting is inherently physical and the manipulation of physical needles and stitches is what I enjoy the most about it.

I have found some recent AI generated knitwear garments which I find incredibly inspiring (see below). However when looking at them, I find myself interested in how I would go about actually knitting and constructing them in the real word, what stitch would I use, how would I construct it, is it possible?

AI generated Knit Nirvana by FAN SHI

The discussion surrounding this lecture ended up focusing on whether having the fashion skills necessary to construct a garment were essential to becoming a fashion designer. If someone making digital fashion doesn't have the technical know-how to construct the garment are their products fashion or art? I personally think that each field has a separate unique skillset and digital fashion definitely compliments the physical. I still believe that it could never replace it. Illustration is part of the fashion design process and is an essential part of visualising designs but owning digital fashion may be more like owning a piece of art than an item of clothing.

Advancements in digital technology will continue to be developed and will definitely improve the industry. For example Shima Seiki technology is improving knitwear production and sustainability and even the design process. The ability to simulate and design colour-ways/stitches on a screen before physically producing knitting saves time, energy and material costs (environmentally & economically). I definitely need to explore this further and make this one of my goals for this masters. But it is still ultimately with the end goal of knitting that final successful design.

Stephy Fung also emphasises the importance of keeping up a social media presence and I will aim to improve my consistency with posting on Instagram and LinkedIn to improve my employability.