Connect the Dots

Connect the Dots is a project exploring modular garments. Customizing or making your own clothing instills a sense of ownership, and a greater bond with your clothes. This collection was built around this idea, with grids of eyelets that can be threaded through with strings or beads to add a creative design, or change the shape of a piece.

The goal is for a collection of simple fabrics and garments that can be altered and customized again and again, giving the wearer a chance to display their creativity and bond with their clothes.

Looking at fashion and sustainability, I learned that in order for clothes to stay with someone for a long time, they need to be durable. Obviously, they need to be physically durable and of high quality, but also emotionally durable. That is, people need a reason that they love a piece, and want to hang onto it. Some reasons that people would hang onto a piece would include; that it was a gift; that it was repaired; that they altered it; or that they created it. So, I wanted to develop something that was asking to be designed, and would encourage someone to express their creativity.

This collection was designed around a prototype of a denim jacket, with other pieces of varying levels of customization options. A simple white tee has the smallest level, with a small eyelet-grid denim pocket that could be strung through and beaded for a small customized look.

Other potential materials could be laser-cut, plastic-sealed, or embroidered holes, or lighter weight leather eyelets, for a similar result.