Loop Multifunctional Wrap

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RESEARCH BACKGROUND Loop Multifunctional Wrap is a design artefact which investigates the conjunction of fashion, design, materials research and social innovation. The wrap itself is one of the outcomes of a five year research project which investigates the potential of Australian wool to, through design, generate new opportunities for Australian regional employment and innovative manufacturing processes. Australian manufacturing using Australian produced materials has collapsed through forces of globalisation. This project addresses questions around how locally produced design-led products, made with locally produced materials can compete globally and support the revitalisation of Australian regional industry. I am a Co-Founder of this project & have been responsible for Business Development (local/global) and as a Creative (overseeing/producing visual communication work). RESEARCH CONTRIBUTION Through the receipt of recognition by the A'Design award, 'Loop' Multifunctional Wrap brings questions of design's ability to enable social transformation to the global fashion and design community. The project investigates the potential for Australian design to re-invigorate Australian regional manufacturing through high-end design and the application of unique Australian materials (ie Merino wool). The project enacts how design can provide an intersection between fashion and humanity. RESEARCH SIGNIFICANCE 'Loop' Multifunctional Wrap is a key part of a long-running research project. As a design case it provides an example of an innovative design-led social piece with the potential to transform regional Australian communities through design and production. In this way the project directly benefits the producers of the raw materials, the designers, the individual makers & their communities. The wrap was a bronze winner of the A'Design Award (Milan) in the Fashion, Apparel and Garment design category 2014.