Self-assembled Prêt-à-Porter will develop a new kind of skin operating as a responsive system to the contemporary needs of the human body, society and technology.
Confronting the currently existing ‘capitalism comfort zones’ in fashion industry (mass- distribution primarily) this studio seeks to engage self-assembled protocols as dynamic landscapes to generate architectonic surfaces.
Aided by handcrafted and software-generated physical modelling, the unit will experiment with form finding methods and prototyping in order to achieve a design proposal.
During week 1 the workshop will commence by researching the possibility of integrating natural systems within contemporary design disciplines, fashion and architecture. Participants will examine biological systems found in nature, from sea flora and fauna, like sponges, to all common-structure vertebrates and reptiles. The aim of the initial research is to draw inspiration to mimic the local intelligence and structural systems of these creatures.
During week 2 participants will be introduced to methods of creating feedback loops between their physical experiments and digital tools. Computation is used as means to facilitate multi-scalar design: from landscaped bodies and tectonics to experimental fashion design.
Fashion is a unique creative platform that must undergo onto mutation. Self-assembled Prêt-à-Porter Unit seeks to raise awareness within architectural education to avoid processes of ‘pop’aestheticisation and thereby, preventing the risk of anaesthetisation of our society.
