A Case Study: Creating Special Occasion Garments for Young Women with Special Needs

Abstract

This paper documents a creative design project involving the construction of custom-designed special occasion dressesforfour women, ages 16-20, that have spina bifida or osteogenesis imperfecta. Common physical characteristics of these disorders include severe spinal curvature, resulting in extreme body asymmetry that requires the use offorearm crutches and waist-to-foot braces for upright mobility. Results suggest that draping the muslin sample garments directly on the body appears to be the most successful method of achieving good fit and creating the illusion of body symmetry and proportion. Fitting techniques used in this project may also be used to achieve goodfit in other populations.