Abstract
Contemporary applications of indigenous and ancient knowledge systems are seen as an opportunity to reestablish relationships of care and respect. This paper investigates how contemporary indigenous fashion designers in Brazil enmesh indigenous thinking in their practice. The paper starts by laying out discussions on indigenous knowledge systems and its relationships with design. Following, the indigenous fashion phenomena in Brazil is introduced and analysed through data collected via interviews and desktop research. To conclude, possible more than human directions that challenge the current paradigms in western fashion design practices are exposed. They are: relational practices, more than human notions of time and land-centered design as results of an indigenous knowledge informed fashion design practice.
Keywords
indigenous fashion design; relational design; fashion design practice
DOI
https://doi.org/10.21606/nordes.2025.37
Citation
Valle-Noronha, J.(2025) In relation: Brazilian Indigenous fashion design, in Brandt, E., Markussen, T., Berglund, E., Julier, G., Linde, P. (eds.), Nordes 2025: Relational Design, 6-8 August, Oslo, Norway. https://doi.org/10.21606/nordes.2025.37
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In relation: Brazilian Indigenous fashion design
Contemporary applications of indigenous and ancient knowledge systems are seen as an opportunity to reestablish relationships of care and respect. This paper investigates how contemporary indigenous fashion designers in Brazil enmesh indigenous thinking in their practice. The paper starts by laying out discussions on indigenous knowledge systems and its relationships with design. Following, the indigenous fashion phenomena in Brazil is introduced and analysed through data collected via interviews and desktop research. To conclude, possible more than human directions that challenge the current paradigms in western fashion design practices are exposed. They are: relational practices, more than human notions of time and land-centered design as results of an indigenous knowledge informed fashion design practice.