Valen Chirkes

Valen Chirkes

Systems & Society

THESIS STATEMENT

Currently, fashion business defines value as growth fueled by scale, while fashion consumers consider value based on factors like comfort, fit and empowerment. This disconnection between the fashion system and fashion consumer is held in place by intentionally distancing the “designer” from the “user” by time, distance and understanding, resulting in loads of fashion waste and the problems customers face when shopping.
Adamo imagines a new fashion system as co-creation between the designer and client. The thesis concept was prototyped with four “clients” to create garments to reflect their individual taste, fit, and needs. This participatory process brought the designer and wearer into direct conversation to define and expand value from the customer’s perspective.
Image: The definitions for value are extremely valuable from person to person and from garment to garment.
Image: Value is considered diferently in each step of a garment's lifecycle.
Image: Adamo is my thesis concept and an example of a new business model that aligns the fashion client and fashion designer side-by-side throughout the creation process. This brings the client and customer together by having them co-design the final pieces. The client and designer meet in-person in several instances to decide the style of the garment as well as to fit the pieces to ensure an optimal fit.

Testing Out The System

This new system was prototyped with four "clients" who participated in the co-creation of their own garments. Two clients brought garments for upcycling, giving the final pieces an additional layer of meaning.
The sample group consisted of Ariela, a Strategic Design and Management student at Parsons, Violeta, a therapist from Argentina, Cristina, a leather goods designer at Coach and Rose, the leader of the Coach (Re)Loved project.
Image: Outline of the process for look 2, created with and for Ariela
Image: Outline of the process for look 6, created with and for Cristina

Bio

Combining an upbringing in Buenos Aires, Argentina and a fashion education in New York, I like to think I have “the best of both worlds.” I was raised in slow consumption and conscious fashion practices and have become a designer in the heart of the industry where everything is possible. I am a firm believer that we can improve people’s lifestyles and self esteem through new fashion systems. Designers can rethink the value of their work to build deeper relationships and longevity into the objects they create. Through my minor in Fashion Business and previous work experiences in multiple areas of the industry, I aim to understand how to shift current systems from different areas and understand the possibilities of the designer’s role within the larger ecosystem.

Endless thanks to my collaborators—Ariela, Rose, Cristina, and Violeta; to Clara, Fefé, Valentina, Lucas, Fran, Emma, Franco and Juanita for helping this project come to life; and to my family and friends for their endless support.

@adamo.studiosadamostudios.com@valenchirkesvalenchirkes.com
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