Virtual Reality for Fashion Education

Both fashion design and education are areas where new technologies can have a significant impact. This dissertation examines the potential of virtual reality (VR) for fashion design education and focused on the profound affordances that virtual reality offers - immersion and agency. Using a phenomenological approach, the study combined arts-based research, observational field notes, and in-depth interviews to ascertain the potential value of adding VR to the fashion curriculum. A small group of 14 fashion design students participated in the study, engaging in passive viewing and active creating activities. The students reported their impressions and shared their designs. Results indicate that the use of VR in fashion design education can lead to deeper engagement, increased creativity, and enhanced learning experiences. The study found that students who used VR technology in their design and theory courses reported feeling more engaged. The data also revealed that students found the VR environment to be a valuable tool for exploring design ideas, enhancing creativity, and increasing confidence in their work. These findings have important implications for both design educators and industry professionals. The study concludes with recommendations for integrating VR technology into fashion design education and suggestions for future research.