Assignment Instructions
What the dissertation investigates
Minimalist fashion and psychological wellbeing
Research methods:
visual analysis
survey
literature review
Main findings:
minimalism associated with calmness
clothing affects emotional state
visual overload from trend culture
Conclusion
Mention:
100 survey responses
emotional preference for minimalist aesthetics
CONTENTS PAGE
Introduction
Literature Review
Methodology
Visual Analysis
Survey Findings and Discussion
Conclusion
Reference List
Appendices
1. INTRODUCTION (800–1000 words)
Purpose
Introduce:
minimalist fashion
emotional design
psychological wellbeing
visual culture
Japanese fashion influence
Include
Paragraph 1:
Introduce minimalism in fashion.
Discuss:
reduction
simplicity
purity
restraint
Reference:
Walker
Pawson
Martin
Paragraph 2:
Introduce psychological wellbeing and fashion.
Discuss:
clothing affects mood
identity
emotional perception
Reference:
Norman
Adam & Galinsky
Paragraph 3:
Introduce visual overload in contemporary fashion culture.
Discuss:
trend cycles
overstimulation
social media fashion culture
Use:
Balenciaga comparison later
Paragraph 4:
State dissertation aim.
Example:
This dissertation explores how minimalist fashion design may influence emotional wellbeing, calmness, and psychological states through visual analysis, survey research, and theoretical investigation.
Paragraph 5:
Briefly explain methodology.
Mention:
survey of 100 participants
visual analysis of fashion imagery
academic literature
2. LITERATURE REVIEW (2000–2500 words)SECTION 2.1
Defining Minimalism in Fashion
Discuss:
history of minimalism
reduction
anti-excess
simplicity
purity
functionality
References:
Walker
Martin
Pawson
Wilson
INSERT IMAGE:
Figure 1:
Michael Kors minimalist runway images
(Book: Less is More)
Discuss:
wearable minimalism
neutral palettes
elegant simplicity
commercial minimalism
SECTION 2.2
Japanese Minimalism and Avant-Garde Design
Discuss:
Japanese aesthetics
wabi-sabi
asymmetry
silence
emptiness
emotional stillness
References:
Kawamura
English
Koren
Juniper
INSERT IMAGE:
Figure 2:
Comme des Garçons SS98
Discuss:
anti-fashion
abstraction
deconstruction
emotional discomfort
artistic minimalism
INSERT IMAGE:
Figure 3:
Yohji Yamamoto SS22
Discuss:
monochrome palettes
oversized silhouettes
controlled drama
emotional tension
INSERT IMAGE:
Figure 4:
ISSEY MIYAKE AW24/25
Discuss:
sculptural minimalism
movement
colour psychology
expressive minimalism
SECTION 2.3
Minimalism, Emotional Design and Wellbeing
Discuss:
fashion psychology
emotional response
calmness
mindfulness
identity
References:
Norman
Adam & Galinsky
wellbeing journal articles
ADD SURVEY RESULT HERE:
71% believe clothing affects mood
97% associate minimalism with calmness
Write:
Survey findings reinforced psychological theories surrounding fashion and emotion, with the majority of participants believing clothing affects emotional state and associating minimalist fashion with calmness or emotional balance.
SECTION 2.4
Contemporary Fashion and Visual Overload
Discuss:
overstimulation
trend saturation
fast fashion
maximalism
digital culture
INSERT IMAGE:
Figure 5:
Balenciaga Fall 2024
Discuss:
visual chaos
layering
aggressive styling
overstimulation
Compare against minimalist calmness.
ADD SURVEY RESULT HERE:
89% feel trend culture is overwhelming
3. METHODOLOGY (1000–1500 words)
Explain Research Methods
This dissertation uses:
qualitative visual analysis
quantitative survey research
literature review
SECTION 3.1
Survey Method
Explain:
Google Forms survey
anonymous participants
100 responses
fashion/emotional perception questions
INSERT CHARTS:
Demographics
age chart
culture chart
fashion interest chart
Discuss:
majority younger audience
culturally diverse participants
strong fashion engagement
SECTION 3.2
Visual Analysis Method
Explain:
You analysed:
colour
silhouette
texture
proportion
emotional atmosphere
movement
Discuss:
Japanese aesthetics
emotional design
minimalist visual language
SECTION 3.3
Ethical Considerations
Mention:
anonymous survey
voluntary participation
no personal identification
4. VISUAL ANALYSIS (2500+ words)
This is your main fashion analysis section.
Analyse images individually.
Figure 6:
Uma Wang Spring 2022
Discuss:
draping
white palette
softness
negative space
calmness
stillness
Link:
mindfulness
emotional quietness
Figure 7:
ISSEY MIYAKE AW24/25
Discuss:
bright yellow
sculptural form
expressive movement
bold emotion
Compare with Uma Wang.
INSERT SURVEY RESULT HERE:
79% preferred Image A
84% found Image A calmer
Discuss:
participants emotionally preferred softer minimalist aesthetics.
Figure 8:
Maison Martin Margiela
Discuss:
deconstruction
anti-glamour
abstraction
stripped-back design
Figure 9:
Rifat Ozbek SS90
Discuss:
all-white purity
spiritual minimalism
lightness
emotional serenity
Figure 10:
The Row SS23
Discuss:
luxury minimalism
modern tailoring
understated elegance
emotional restraint
Figure 11:
Matthew Ames minimalism image
Discuss:
soft silhouettes
contemporary purity
fluidity
Figure 12:
Wabi-Sabi Interior Image
Discuss:
interior/fashion relationship
natural tones
calm atmosphere
visual silence
Link:
minimalist environments and emotional wellbeing.
5. SURVEY FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION (1500–2000 words)
Analyse your survey properly.
SECTION 5.1
Clothing and Emotional State
Use:
71% mood result
Connect:
enclothed cognition
emotional design
SECTION 5.2
Minimalism and Calmness
Use:
54% yes
43% somewhat
State:
97% connected minimalism with calmness.
SECTION 5.3
Visual Preference and Emotional Response
Use:
outfit preference chart
emotional comfort chart
Discuss:
colour psychology
white/neutral tones
softness
silhouette
SECTION 5.4
Trend Culture and Visual Overwhelm
Use:
overwhelming trends chart
Discuss:
overstimulation
visual fatigue
fast fashion anxiety
Connect:
Balenciaga comparison image.
SECTION 5.5
Preferred Aesthetic Balance
Use:
balance chart
Discuss:
people prefer moderation
“mostly minimalist with one bold element”
emotional comfort through controlled expression
6. CONCLUSION (800–1000 words)
Summarise:
Minimalist fashion positively affects emotional perception
Simplicity linked to calmness
Visual overload causes fatigue
Minimalism supports emotional balance and mindfulness
Mention:
survey confirmed theories
visual analysis supported findings
7. REFERENCE LIST
(Use Harvard referencing in alphabetical order)
8. APPENDICES
Include:
Full survey questions
Additional charts
Consent statement
Extra image material
HARVARD REFERENCE LIST
Adam, H. and Galinsky, A.D. (2012) ‘Enclothed cognition’, Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 48(4), pp. 918–925.
Bardey, A., Ritch, E.L. and Labruere-Chazal, C. (2025) ‘The perks of being minimalist’, Business Strategy and the Environment.
Dimant, E. (2019) Minimalism and Fashion: Reduction in the Postmodern Era. New Haven: Yale University Press.
English, B. (2011) Japanese Fashion Designers. Oxford: Berg.
Evans, C. (2003) Fashion at the Edge. New Haven: Yale University Press.
Fang, G., Fu, Y. and Peng, L. (2023) ‘Wabi-sabi style’, Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 8, pp. 2499–2505.
Juniper, A. (2003) Wabi Sabi: The Japanese Art of Impermanence. Tokyo: Tuttle Publishing.
Kan, C., Karasawa, M. and Kitayama, S. (2009) ‘Minimalist in style’, Self and Identity, 8(4), pp. 300–317.
Kawamura, Y. (2004) The Japanese Revolution in Paris Fashion. Oxford: Berg.
Koren, L. (2008) Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers. California: Imperfect Publishing.
Martin, R. (1999) Minimalism. London: Phaidon Press.
Norman, D. (2004) Emotional Design. New York: Basic Books.
Pawson, J. (1996) Minimum. London: Phaidon Press.
Seivewright, S. (2012) Research and Design for Fashion. London: Laurence King Publishing.
Shafqat, T., Ishaq, M.I. and Ahmed, A. (2023) ‘Fashion consumption using minimalism’, Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, 71.
Walker, H. (2011) Less is More: Minimalism in Fashion. London: Merrell Publishers Ltd.
Wilson, E. (2003) Adorned in Dreams. London: I.B. Tauris.