Traditional southern African dress and architecture : towards the design of the Durban Institute of Fashion.
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Date
2008
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Abstract
Traditional African dress is a wide subject area. This study focuses on the influences of art
forms such as fashion design on contemporary architectural design. There is past historic
influence that can be identified in creating an identity for contemporary clothing and
architectural design. Studying South African traditional clothing and architecture will inform
the design for the Durban Institute of Fashion. The historic focus on dress has been limited to
that of traditional South African origins and evolutions. This study will seek to identify the
traditional aesthetics that were used in the history of dress and architecture whose details
will be studied to explore the identity that the aesthetics present. The South African cultures
studied include the Zulu, Tswana, Ndebele, Swazi, South Sotho, Xhosa and Cape Dutch. African
traditional architecture is the main focus of this project. This study will seek to determine
the relevance of African methods for a new architectural approach in South African
architecture. The study of traditional building decorations will show how the aesthetics are
transferred to architecture to express identity. To support this, a study of building
technology and culture has been included. A review of contemporary architecture in South Africa
studies and observes how the inclusion of tradition African architecture and decoration can
address current issues. The link between studying clothing fashion and this architectural
project will be achieved by addressing traditional dress, contemporary fashion designs and
African identity. This will include an understanding of traditional African influences on dress
from historic times to the present day. The cross-cultural influence focuses only on the
western immigrants’ influence. The aim of this document is to obtain from the above an informed
approach to the design expressing African identity for the Durban Institute of Fashion.
Description
Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.
Keywords
Clothing factories--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban--Designs and plans., Fashion design--KwaZulu-Natal--Durban., Theses--Architecture.