To re:make; to re:do; to re:think - Localised design practices in a globalised world

To live in a global world is to be constantly aware of our own lives and histories and how they may merge and blend with others. Taking a practitioner-led approach to design, and the production of cultural artifacts, this paper will draw on the author’s response to a number of global and cross cultural references and show how these references have been translated into a range of clothing items. The first of these objects are a jacket and waistcoat developed as a response to the Global Denim project in which the discarded jeans, through a process of deconstruction were converted into something ‘new’. This newness grew out of the previous owners no longer having a use for the garments and a contention that they no longer fitted into changing notions of their identity and lifestyles. The second object to be analysed is a garment developed as a response to Yinka Shonibare’s work and within this aspects of global production and communication will be discussed. It will investigate symbolism within textile production processes, motifs and shape and form as well as providing a critique of Shonibare’s work.
The relationship of the objects to global processes will be viewed through the lens of sustainability and in particular how production methods, especially those based in a studio environment, have the potential to impact on notions of social enterprise and design activism. To this aim reflection on the authors approach to design and the shaping of ‘fashion’ inspired objects with be provided together with an investigation into how models of social enterprise may be developed to have relevance to global processes. Theories relating to aspects of liquid modernity and global identities will also frame discussion into how objects become personalised and lead to a transformation of self.