Week 5 – The Concept of Connection: Defining the Purpose Behind the Collection

Feb 8
2 min read

Updated: 4 hours ago

Exploring emotional, physical, and conceptual connections within lingerie and tailoring design.

PROCESS

At this point in the project, I began refining the main concept behind my collection. As I worked on sketches and technical drawings, I saw that connection was at the heart of the project. I designed the garments so that lingerie and outerwear could physically attach using modular fastening systems. Some bras connect in the middle, while others connect at each cup, so they can work with different outerwear pieces that have matching attachment points. This modular design allows several garments to combine in different ways, creating a unified system rather than separate pieces.

Figure 11: Technical drawing illustrating the connection system between lingerie and outerwear pieces.

REFLECTION

As I developed the collection further, I realised that the idea of connection had several meanings. Firstly, there was a personal and emotional connection to designing clothes, especially lingerie. Transforming a flat sketch into a finished piece is one of the most rewarding parts of design for me, and it deepens my connection to the creative process.

Secondly, there was a physical connection in the garments through the attachment system. The garments were designed not simply to be worn together but to literally connect and interact structurally.

Finally, the concept also represented a conceptual dialogue between masculine tailoring and feminine lingerie. By combining structured menswear-inspired elements with intimate garments, the collection explores the relationship between masculinity and femininity, which can be harmonious yet at times conflicting, creating ample room for interpretation.

Figure 12: Moodboard and sketches theme of connection within the collection, including emotional connection to craft,

physical connections between garments, and conceptual connections between masculine tailoring and feminine lingerie.

INSIGHT

Understanding this idea made the collection's purpose clearer to me. Sinek (2009) explains that successful entrepreneurs often begin by defining why they create something before determining what they produce. Thinking about this helped me see that the connection was more than just a design element; it was the main idea guiding the whole collection.