Print for Definition is a printed textile design study that aims to create prints on clothing with accent points that emphasise and define the areas of clothing that women are happy to draw attention to, whilst making areas they feel most insecure about less noticeable.
Many women suffer from lack of confidence and feel dissatisfied with their bodies, this can affect their lives and emotional wellbeing. The prevalent images in the media worsen this situation through the portrayal of unnaturally slim and unrealistic beauty ideals. Therefore, no matter what size, shape or proportion they are, women want to make changes to their appearance.
Print for Definition is a response to this social phenomenon. It is based on interviews with women about how they perceive their bodies. Print follows form to define the body, creating visually pleasing garments and in turn providing emotional comfort to enhance the confidence of the wearer.
A survey was completed with almost 30 female students at the RCA about their perceptions of their bodies. Through measuring and taking photos of their bodies, they identified different areas of their bodies that they are happy with and would like to enhance: chest; waist; legs and collar bone. At the same time, many of them wanted to make changes to the appearance of their bodies: 'flatter stomach', 'slimmer thighs', 'get rid of love handles' and 'reduce the size of hips'.
From these findings, this project discovered the areas that should have attention drawn to them and the areas that need to be concealed and distracted from. Using creative pattern cutting and print on textile, the final collection is aimed to guide people's eyes around the wearers' bodies, with specially designed patterns that encourage wearers to feel positive about their natural shape.
