This paper suggests shifting the focus from a visual aesthetic of the body to an aesthetics emerging form the experience of wearing. Historically the aesthetics of wearing has been mainly concerned with visual aspects of body; how dress looks on you/make your body look rather than how it feels and what it does with you. Building further on the notion somatic garment as introduced by Sally E Dean (2011) and somatic style as defined by Shusterman (2012) the project addresses the experience of wearing and its effect on our emotional state and as bodily aesthetics. It is a practical exploration contributing to a theoretical discussion. The findings result from an interdisciplinary study intersecting fashion design and choreography, explored through interactive installations and performances developed over the course of 2 years. In 4 performances, 4 workshops and 3 exhibitions nationally and internationally the tactile and informing potential of wearing has been investigated. The results suggest a particular kind of wear-thinking that affects the body aesthetics through how it imposes movement patterns, positioning, tempo and emotions and through this it affects not only the emotional state of mind body also the appearance of the body. In the study, movements that create well-being, presence and relaxation was enabled with help of the interactive installation.

Examples:

Interactive form exhibited at festival:

https://youtu.be/enaPeIRiELU

Performance: https://youtu.be/9SHC6zRA6TA