Week 7 – Failure, Risk, and Creative Breakthrough: Solving the Attachment Challenge

Feb 22
2 min read

Updated: 4 hours ago

Reflecting on experimentation, setbacks, and the creative discovery of the cufflink solution.

PROCESS

After trying out different ways to attach the pieces, I kept testing several types of clasps to connect the garments. Many of the hardware options I ordered didn’t work as I hoped. Some looked too industrial, while others seemed fragile or didn’t fit the collection's style.

Figure 17: Design exploration of attachment mechanisms intended to connect lingerie and outerwear pieces within the collection.

REFLECTION

This stage was especially frustrating, since I had invested both time and money in the materials I ordered. After waiting for the hardware to arrive, I was disappointed to find out it did not work. I usually hold myself to high standards, so at first I felt I should have anticipated these problems earlier in the design process.

However, the breakthrough came when I was making a technical drawing of a tailored jacket in Adobe Illustrator. As I started drawing the sleeves, I suddenly thought of using cufflinks as the attachment. Because the collection incorporates elements of menswear tailoring, cufflinks immediately felt conceptually appropriate and visually elegant.

Figure 18: Cufflink attachment concept that became the final solution for connecting garments.

INSIGHT

This experience taught me a valuable lesson about creative problem-solving. Periods of frustration can actually lead to stronger ideas if you remain persistent and open to experimentation. Psychologist Dweck (2006) describes this approach as a growth mindset, in which challenges are viewed as opportunities for learning rather than as failures. Finding the cufflink solution showed how being persistent and adaptable can lead to creative results.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/c9c196_b8115b03ba194f7fa2d649ccda77837f/720p/mp4/file.mp4

Figure 19: Video of me explaining attachment mechanisms and trials.