Clothing and many materials such as textiles and leather meet basic human needs, and are essential to performance, feelings of well-being in both the physical sense (e.g. for protection and warmth) and the social sense (e.g. belonging to a group). Clothing plays an important role in non-verbal communication indicating many personal and social characteristics of the wearer. Clothing and textile production and distribution are significant to the New Zealand and world economy, and clothing and textiles are one of the few product groups subject to control in international trade. Papers in Clothing and Textile Sciences at the University of Otago aim to provide the terminology, theoretical bases and practical competencies to analyse structure, function and behaviour of clothing and various materials including textiles and leather. Clothing and Textile Sciences qualifications from Otago are internationally recognised and are accredited by The Textile Institute. The two major areas of study in Clothing and Textile Sciences are physical and social. In the physical area, discussion and experimentation focus on the inter-relationships among properties of fibres, yarns and materials and garment/product design, assembly processes, and performance; human body measurements in relation to garment fit, design, processes and performance; and evaluation and acceptability of apparel and materials. In the social area, discussion and research focus on definition, classification and meaning of dress within a cultural and historical context; theoretical perspectives; the social, cultural, historical and economic functions of dress; and dress as material culture; and apparel manufacturing, marketing and distribution.

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