The aim of this bachelor’s thesis was to design and produce a transformable costume for an artist. This thesis was assigned by music pedagogue Hanna Seppänen. The transformation of costumes was studied through scale-models and miniatures (1:2). My client chose her favorite models among my miniature models, based on which I produced one costume with a few add-ons. I collected information about the qualities of a good costume and how to design one.

The design process was structured according to the Conceptual Framework for Apparel Design by Lamb & Kallal (1992) which encompasses the client-oriented FEA-model. The FEA-model is suitable for the design of individual and unique costumes because it aims at creating functional, expressive and aesthetic costumes which are based on the needs and desires of the client.

In my Bachelor thesis I needed to create a costume as transformable as possible without ending up with a dull result. The shape of the costume is simple but it is spiced with interesting and colorful details. The final costume consists of basic dress, two removable hems, and two add-ons. It is possible to wear the costume and its add-ons separately and together with other garments or costumes. This way the costume and the add-ons will not risk being forgotten into the closet because there are always new ways to wear and combine them.

My client has not yet worn the costume on stage but she is excitedly waiting for the Christmas party season. She has planned to wear the costume to a few concerts. My client gave written feedback on my design, based on a feedback questionnaire and I evaluated my design process with the FEA-model. According to the feedback my client is pleased with the costumes and our cooperation. There is only a little information available about transformation and each person sees and experiences it differently. Furthermore, transformable costumes are also environmentally friendly, which makes it necessary to investigate into how costumes can be designed to allow as many combinations as possible and how to lengthen the costumes’ life.