versodesign

Abstract

Current political and societal debate centres prominently upon joblessness and what to do about it. Purposeful and deliberate reinforcement of labour market and socio-political structures is needed for enhancing the unemployed individuals economic prospects. This is best achieved by boosting his or her motivation and professional capabilities, and hence the morale. To that end, the project went for a thoroughly practical approach, and several fashion designers were brought in. They were to ask practitioners questions and come up with practitioners answers. The fashion and textile field is particularly suitable for practice-based vocational training; it facilitates getting acquainted with the ways of working various materials, which is very important, as is the mastering of more or less demanding work processes.

versodesign pursues that social agenda concurrently with the development of innovative approaches to fashion design. In Stoffnetz, a textile workshop preparing for professional rehabilitation through training and occupational programmes, current work and design processes are analyzed and investigated. Furthermore, Stoffnetz engages in the creation of fashionable and modern products, in developing challenging design concepts, in thinking through market economics, and in marketing all with a view to establishing potential avenues to employment. Fresh design strategies and structural conditions shall boost motivation, help positioning the workshop in the market, and point up new and personal approaches to work and creative production.