Eetu Kakriainen

Eetu Kakriainen uses architectural theory as a starting point for his BA thesis project, Dress as a Spatial Practice. The collection approaches the garment as a spatial entity that interacts with the body and its surroundings. Spatiality is explored through surface area, boundaries, transparency, and weight. The body is the starting point of the design process and central to the experience of the garment. The looks present five interpretations of the concept. The aim is for the garment and the body to form a shared space in dialogue with the environment. The design is guided by a self-developed method system based on skin surface area and the movement paths created by bodily motion. "I found a systematic methodology essential to my process. By measuring the body and translating its movement into pattern and proportion, the space it creates becomes visible. For me, clothing is cut, structure, weight, and lived experience." The collection’s development combines 3D design software with automated pattern-cutting and knitting machines. Garments are designed and simulated in CLO3D, with patterns transferred directly to a Zünd cutting system. Knitwear pieces are produced using Shima Seiki WHOLEGARMENT technology, enabling seamless construction. "For me, CLO3D and the Zünd cutting system were the primary tools for making the garments. I worked with a relatively complex pattern-cutting technique, aiming to construct garments from a single pattern piece wherever possible. Due to this complexity, the cutting process requires extreme precision, which is why I find the Zünd cutter an excellent tool for achieving the best possible outcome."