Dictionary dressings : re-reading clothing definitions towards alternative fashion perspectives

Author / Creator

Vries, Femke de, author

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Summary

Dictionary Dressings is an ongoing research project by Femke de Vries that uses the nature of the dictionary definition as a "zero condition" for a piece of clothing to decode clothes and explore a...

Dictionary Dressings is an ongoing research project by Femke de Vries that uses the nature of the dictionary definition as a "zero condition" for a piece of clothing to decode clothes and explore an alternative fashion vocabulary. Dictionary definitions are constructed to be factual and rational and as a consequence the entries for items of clothing show no reference to the ephemeral or immaterial character of fashion. They describe the characteristics of the items, their use and their relation to the body but never mention fashion or style. Take the Dutch definition of a glove for example: "Handschoen: bekleding van de hand" (literally translated into English as "Glove: covering of the hand"). Since a hand can be covered by putting it in a pocket, by bandaging it or by sitting on it, the definition allows a pair of trousers or a bandage to be interpreted as a glove -- they cover the hand and so adhere to the definition. It is exactly this particular nature of the definitions of clothing that forms the foundation and very structure of Dictionary Dressings as a research project and an emerging design approach. Designed by Hans Gremmen (of Fw:Books) and featuring Barbara Brownie, BLESS, Conny Groenewegen, Elisa van Joolen, Joke Robaard, Ruby Hoette amd Students from the HKU (University of the Arts Utrecht) 2015-16.

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