The Ever-Evolving Object: The Role of ‘Incentive Aesthetics’ In Fashion Design Education

This thesis introduces and defines Incentive Aesthetics (IA) within the context of fashion design education, with a focus on sustainability and speculative design. Originally conceived to integrate technological and visual affordances into the design of luxury fashion artefacts, IA is repositioned latterly to inspire educational reform in fashion design. This research champions a paradigm shift in fashion production and consumption, advocating for a move towards conceptual and experiential engagements rather than traditional manufacturing processes. By implementing IA through a series of speculative educational projects, the study offers a platform for experimentation and discussion, aimed at enhancing sustainability awareness and critical design thinking among future fashion designers. This not only addresses the necessity for sustainable innovation within the UK fashion industry but also leverages global perspectives to enrich educational practices. The theoretical framework of this study critically examines the roles of objects and desire in fashion, supporting a novel educational approach where IA acts as a tool to integrate critical and speculative design into fashion curricula. Ultimately, this research posits that introducing IA in fashion education can empower a new generation of designers to engage creatively and critically with sustainability, thereby making a significant contribution to the evolution of the fashion industry.