Opa's suit : memories in perspective : a written component presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Fashion Design at Massey University, Wellington, New Zealand

Abstract

The ability of clothing to retain a sense of person enables memories to be reinterpreted and a person brought 'back to life'. Opa's Suit, Memories in Perspective is an investigation into the memories attached to clothing of lost loved ones, looking to the presence of absence for its ability to transport us through time. A multi-dimensional examination of the jacket has provided a new understanding of the importance of absence and space in the interpretation of memories inspired through clothing. This study of memories in clothing proposes that what is lost is as relevant to design as what is left behind.