OBJECTIVES: To demonstrate understanding of the principles and elements of desig

OBJECTIVES:
To demonstrate understanding of the principles and elements of design by applying that language to the discussion, evaluation, and comparison of two contemporary fashion collections by different designers (or two individual pieces within a collection by the same designer) shown at New York Fashion Week in fall 2023
To use primary and secondary sources to contextualize each designer’s collection within the present and the past
To speculate about a collection’s cultural relevance, psychological resonance, and impact through specific design choices
To identify shared design sensibilities across two different fashion houses, while also noting where aesthetics differ
ESSAY CONTENT:
You will compare and contrast two fashion collections shown during New York Fashion Week, which was held September 8 – 13, 2023. You will interpret, analyze, evaluate, compare, and make judgements about the collections using terminology of the principles and elements of design as presented in the course lectures and listed below. Since the principles and elements of design operate in some form or another in all designed objects, you are expected to engage with each one. Consider, as well, the designer’s choice of materials and construction techniques: What impact do materials and technique appear to have on the aesthetic? You will conduct further research about the design house and collection by using at least one secondary source from the library (e.g., a book, academic journal article, etc.) and one additional primary source (e.g., a recently published review of the collection, an interview with the designer, social media posts about the collection, etc.). Additional research and analysis of design decisions will empower you to speculate about what each collection appears to communicate or express, both conceptually and visually. Hypothesize about what you believe the meaning/inspiration/concepts/sentiments/etc. behind the collection could be, and explain how the principles and elements of design help to convey this. Through evaluation and comparison of two collections, you will make arguments about the relative strengths and weaknesses of specific designs and/or collection as a whole, and offer your own personal response to the collections.

FASHION COLLECTIONS:
You will find collections and digital look books by visiting the New York Fashion Week website: https://nyfw.com/home/ (Please note that the descriiption of each collection on the NYFW website will not “count” as the additional primary source—even though it technically IS a primary source! However, if you do quote from this website in your paper, please include a reference to it in your bibliography.) You may also use Vogue Runway.
Elements and principles of design you are responsible for discussing (you must interpret all of them for both collections/pieces you are comparing):
ELEMENTS
Point
Line
Color and light
Form, shape and space
Movement
Texture
Pattern
PRINCIPLES
Balance and Proportion
Rhythm
Emphasis
Unity