Jose Peon

This project approaches clothing as a system rather than as isolated garments. Instead of designing single pieces intended for one fixed use, the collection explores garments that can adjust to different conditions, activities, and environments throughout a full day. The system is based on modular construction and adaptable components that allow the wearer to modify how the garment functions depending on their needs.

The development of the garments began through physical prototypes and toiles in order to evaluateproportion, mobility, and functional placement of structural elements. Each prototype was tested tounderstand how the garment interacts with the body during movement and daily activity. Particularattention was given to pocket placement, closure systems, and adjustable components that allow thegarments to shift between different states of wear.

This thesis examines clothing as a functional tool that supports the body throughout a full day of activity. The goal of the project is to design modular, ergonomic, and adaptable garments that respond directly to the practical needs of people who move through different environments, temperatures, and tasks. My research focuses on how clothing can adjust to the body rather than requiring the wearer to adjust to the garment. Through primary studies that followed individuals over the course of a day, I identified specific points where clothing failed to provide comfort, mobility, or protection, such as commuting in changing weather, carrying items without proper pocketing, switching between indoor and outdoor temperatures, or needing garments that can shift between fitted and relaxed states.

These observations guide the development of garments that can change form through reversible construction, detachable or movable panels, adjustable closures, and layered structures that allow insulation or ventilation when needed. The project also looks at materials that support daily use, including durable wovens, stretch textiles, insulated fabrics, and technical finishes that offer weather resistance and structural stability.

Construction methods such as bound seams, reinforced edges, and modular hardware are explored as ways to improve function and longevity. The visual language remains minimal and practical, allowing the utility of each garment to remain clear. Rather than presenting clothing as a fixed style, this thesis proposes a system where one garment can serve multiple purposes, reducing the need for constant outfit changes and improving the relationship between the user and what they wear.

Overall, the work aims to provide straightforward solutions to common problems in daily dressing by creating adaptable, durable, and functional clothing that supports the wearer across the full range of activities in a typical day.