This research project derives from an awareness of the potential of fashion garments to carry with them therapeutic functions. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a central influence because, like garments, it shares a close relationship with the body.

In the study of traditional Chinese medicine, there are points and pathways (‘meridians’) on the body through which energy flows and practitioners consider that disease results when this energy flow is hindered. My research is that if clothes stimulate the points, this can potentially help to prevent disease. In addition, clothes are worn every day and can therefore offer prolonged treatment certainly in comparison with other treatments.

Various diseases such as headache, obesity etc. in modern society are known to be caused by stress, poor diet and lack of exercise and these lead to poor energy circulation (according to TCM). A garment which stimulates the points can assist energy flow and therefore cause the wearer to keep healthy and prevent further symptoms and diseases.

I propose to develop made-to-measure therapeutic garments. This is based on the understanding that each body has a different shape and therefore the meridian points are in different places. The starting point for the practical investigation will be to focus on close-fitting clothes such as corsets and leggings. The important point is to fit closely to the body and to facilitate the best energy flow while allowing the wearer to feel comfortable at the same time. The choice of fabric is therefore an important issue and stretchable fabric such as lycra and spandex will be tried to see if they can help to stimulate the meridian points by patches or weaving patterns. It will be necessary to develop a technique which will allow appropriate amounts of pressure to be applied. In addition, colour decisions will be made according to TCM’s understanding of rebalancing the energy of the body together with my professional understanding of contemporary colours.

I will thus follow an empirical approach and aim to carry out a series of experiments in order to realise the most effective and workable solutions.