No. 3 (2024)
Essays

Knitwear consumers, communities and makers: Redefining fashion engagement

PDF
  • Giovanni Maria Conti,
  • Martina Motta
Giovanni Maria Conti
Politecnico di Milano
Bio
Martina Motta
Politecnico di Milano
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36253/fh-2605

Published 30-06-2024

Keywords

  • Fashionscapes,
  • knitwear sector,
  • individuals and community,
  • creation and consumption

How to Cite

Conti, G. M., & Motta, M. (2024). Knitwear consumers, communities and makers: Redefining fashion engagement. Fashion Highlight, (3), 132–139. https://doi.org/10.36253/fh-2605

Copyright (c) 2024 Giovanni Maria Conti, Martina Motta

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Mutable trends and a dynamic interplay between the past, present, and future characterize the contemporary fashion industry. Knitwear, a sector deeply rooted in tradition, is experiencing a resurgence and is becoming pivotal in bridging creation and consumption, challenging traditional fashion norms, and empowering individuals to engage with fashion as a form of self-expression, activism, and community building. The article employs a qualitative research approach and focuses on contemporary sources to analyze the sector’s response to changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and global events, as well as to understand how knitwear embodies the significant paradigm shifts of our days. The analysis highlights knitwear’s transformative potential in questioning consumers’ position by fostering creativity, sustainability, and ethical and collaborative practices. Knitwear emerges as a dynamic space where cultural innovation thrives through a blend of heritage craftsmanship, modern design aesthetics, and technological advancements.

PDF

References

  1. Affinito, L., Conti, G. M., & Motta, M. (2017). New vision on Knitwear design: How the traditional craft methodologies are evolving into fashion international scenarios. Design Journal, 20 (sup1), S2760–S2770.
  2. AA.VV. (2023). The European market potential for knitwear. Retrieved February 22, 2024, from https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/apparel/knitwear/market-potential
  3. AA.VV. (2024). The State of Fashion 2024. BoF - Mc Kinsey
  4. Bauer, G., & Gaskell, G. (2000). Qualitative Researching with Text, Image and Sound: A Practical Handbook for Social Research. SAGE Publications Ltd.
  5. Bertola, P., & Teunissen, J. (2018). Fashion 4.0: Innovating fashion industry through digital transformation. Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, 22 (4), 352–369.
  6. Calefato, P. (2021). La moda e il corpo: Teorie, concetti, prospettive critiche. Carocci.
  7. Conti, G. M., Franzo, P., (2020) Distretti produttivi virtuali: La transizione del Made in Italy nella moda. In Barucco MA, Bulegato F, Vaccari A (Eds.), Remanufacturing Italy: L’Italia nell’epoca della postproduzione. Mimesis.
  8. Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative and Mixed Methods Approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications Ltd.
  9. Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2006). Qualitative Research Planning: Theories and Approaches (2nd ed.). Artmed.
  10. Fiorani, E. (2020). La matta di casa: Iconografie dell’immaginario. Lupetti.
  11. Fiorani, E. (2021). Scintille di Umanità. Lupetti.
  12. George, C. (2020). How Knitting Became Cool. BBC online magazine. Retrieved March 10th, 2024 from https://www.bbc.com/culture/article/20200630-how-knitting-became-cool
  13. Glaser, B. G., & Strauss, A. L. (2017). The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Routledge Taylor & Francis Group.
  14. Greer, B. (2008). Knitting for Good!: A Guide to Creating Personal, Social, and Political Change Stitch by Stitch. Roost Books
  15. Greer, B. (2014) Craftivism: The Art of Craft and Activism. Arsenal Pulp Press.
  16. Haraway, D. (2003). The Companion Species Manifesto: Dogs, People, and Significant Otherness. Prickly Paradigm Press.
  17. Jones, A. (2019). The Role of Merchandising in Fashion Retailing. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management, 23 (4), 546-561.
  18. Kawamura, Y. (2015). Doing Research in Fashion and Dress: An Introduction to Qualitative Method. Bloomsbury.
  19. Knitwear Market. (s.d.). Market Research Reports, Business Consulting | In-depth Insights | TMR. https://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/knitwear-market.html Accessed March 2nd, 2024.
  20. Meroni, A. (Ed.). (2007). Creative Communities: People Inventing Sustainable Ways of Living. Edizioni POLI.design.
  21. Motta, M., Conti GM., Lo Scocco G., & Didero R. (2024). Craftsmanship and digitalization in the Italian knitwear industry: A paradigm shift for the narrative of Made in Italy. In Multidisciplinary Aspects of Design: Objects, Processes, Experiences and Narratives (pp. 705-713). Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd.
  22. Myzelev, A. (2009). Whip Your Hobby into Shape: Knitting, Feminism and Construction of Gender. Textile: The Journal of Cloth and Culture, vol. 7, pp. 148-163. doi 10.2752/175183509X460065
  23. Okwodu, J. (2017, 25 febbraio). The Women’s March Pussyhat Takes Milan Fashion Week. Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/article/milan-fashion-week-ready-to-wear-fall-2017-missoni-pussyhats
  24. Segre Reinach, S. (2005). La moda: Un’introduzione. Editori Laterza.
  25. Smith, L. (2018). Fashion Design: A Cultural Perspective. International Journal of Fashion Studies, 5 (2), 189-204.
  26. The European market potential for knitwear | CBI. (s.d.). Strengthening the sustainability of SMEs through exports | CBI. https://www.cbi.eu/market-information/apparel/knitwear/market-potential. Accessed March 2nd, 2024.
  27. Vezzoli C., Conti GM., Motta M., & Macrì L. (2022) Designing Sustainable Clothing Systems: The design for environmentally sustainable textile clothes and its Product-Service Systems. FrancoAngeli Design International Series, Milano.

Most read articles by the same author(s)