As the shift into the 21st century, the interest in light has increased, and this has been also reflected in fashion design. This study originated from an interest in such phenomena, and aims to analyze fashion design utilizing light by types, while e...
As the shift into the 21st century, the interest in light has increased, and this has been also reflected in fashion design. This study originated from an interest in such phenomena, and aims to analyze fashion design utilizing light by types, while eliciting their aesthetic characteristics.
Light is not only a physical object that causes visual phenomena, but also has a symbolic significance as a metaphor related to ontology and epistemology. And the concept and roles of light have changed according to the era. In the Middle Ages, light was recognized as the source that created holiness and beauty, as the absoluteness and spirituality of light was stressed under the religious influence. In the early modern period, light was recognized as an object of scientific exploration, as well as an object that could be controlled by humans. And the artificial light developed by humans was accepted as a symbol of modernity. Since the latter half of the 20th century, light is regarded as the basis of the digital civilization which is represented by the image epoch as light began to be used as a means to implement various image media.
Furthermore, in the formative arts, such as painting, architecture, and fashion art etc., light has been used as an element that implies a metaphysical significance involving religion and philosophy, and that not only reproduces reality and visual substances, but also reflects socio-cultural phenomena combined with technology. In addition, light has been used as a means to express post-modern formative features that seek diversity in decoration and expression.
The expressions of light in the formative arts are quite diverse, and include the play of light on the surface of materials according to their properties, the representation of light through brightness, forms, colors, the radiation of a luminous material or an artificial light source, and the use of light through a projector to create an image.
As a means of discussing the expression patterns of light in formative art, this study categorized the types of light; "Reflection", "Representation", "Radiation", and "Projection". Using these categories as a framework for analysis, I attempted to analyze the types of fashion design adapting light. The results of analysis are as follows:
First, in the fashion design of "Reflection" type, external lighting, combined with the properties of garment or decoration materials, creates various optical effects depending on the movement of the body. It uses metallic, crystalline, holographic materials, and is characterized by fascinating visual effects that are created through luminosity or glitter through reflected light, a spectrum due to refraction, or an iridescent effect due to interference or diffraction.
Second, the fashion design of "Representation" type uses patterns of light that symbolically represent the phenomena of mental or physical light. Examples of this approach would include the use of sun, ray, or abstract images of optical illusion like op art or psychedelic patterns. Here, decorative effects tend to be stressed rather than the symbolic meaning of light itself.
Third, the fashion design of "Radiation" type uses light that is radiated from a light source existing within the clothes. It is implemented by combining non-electric luminous materials such as phosphorescence, fluorescence, chemical luminescence or electric luminous devices such as LED, laser, or optical fibers. In this type of fashion design, the technologies of light tend to be non-visually combined with those of textiles.
Fourth, in the fashion design of "Projection" type the image of the immaterial light projected from a projector is used as the pattern of the clothing’s surface, or designs themselves are presented as the image of light by borrowing the form of holography, which is regarded as a new conceptual attempt in fashion design.
Based on the above analysis, fashion design using these types of light led us to characterize their aesthetics as fantasy, sensuality, play, interactivity and functionality.
First, fantasy is revealed when the light used in fashion design implies mystical symbols related to religion or the cosmos, or when immaterial light creates phantasmal or illusory visual effects or a virtual simulacrum affecting cognition or consciousness.
Second, sensuality is stressed by attracting attention and causing immersion through the effects of glittering or flickering light, changing the wearer into the object of fascination, or by inducing an optical illusion through the structural characteristics of light pattern.
Third, play provides visual interest and joy when the sense of sight or touch is activated by a kaleidoscopic phenomena of light, which is percept on the clothing’s surface, or when aesthetics are produced by unexpected light effect.
Fourth, interactivity is highlighted when the moment, synchronism, and transformable potential from the light featuring digital technologies involve the wearer in the clothes, and the clothes function as a communication media that expresses information or the emotions of the wearer.
Fifth, functionality is revealed when the wearer is highlighted or disguised from the perspective of the outer environment by enhancing human senses through attention and instant changeability generated by light in order to seek physical protection of body and psychological stability.
Regardless of the era or the artistic discipline, there is a common recognition that light invokes ideas of mystery and fantasy, and is the source of aesthetic experience. On the other hand, in past costume, light symbolized the occult, wealth, or power, and a positive acceptance of art trends or new technologies of the times was stressed, while in contemporary fashion, a human-centered significance is stressed by highlighting the wearer through various visual effects, and by using technological media to visualize communications and exchanges.
Deviating from the habitual perception methods and recognition of light as playing a subsidiary role that creates the effects of color or darkness and affects the formation, this thesis sought a shift in perspective by considering light as one of the formative elements in fashion design, and attempted to identify the visual and semantic characteristics of fashion design that use light. Through these efforts, it is expected that the limitations of expression methods in fashion design can be overcome, and that opportunities can be provided to explore the new possibility of fashion design.