The choices that we make daily, whether consciously or subconsciously, fosters an impression of our personality, mood, and lifestyle but more importantly what we transcend. Similarly our choice of wardrobe, our place of work, play or livelihood, is all fragments of our personality or the image we reflect. The perceived image acts as a visual communicator or a reflection of an identity. This dissertation explored the bridge between fashion and architecture as a visual communicator with the intention of creating a place of identity and expression for the society while understanding its symbiotic relationship. The research set out a framework to establish a platform for South African fashion designers by looking at architecture and its influences on fashion trends and the profound affect vogue has in architecture. The specific reference to case and precedent studies, while gathering information from users in the building, aided in informing the research and its application to the Institute and drawing a cognisant conclusion. The analysis of the case studies and literature review supported the evaluation of the purpose and necessity of a fashion design institute and its place of belonging in society. The architecture in cohesion with the theoretical framework had set up relevant principles which informed an appropriate response to establishing the identity of the city of Durban. The document outlined the relationship between architecture and fashion, while the design proposal augmented the response to its specific requirements.

Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.