Research as Practice

The Fitting Room Reader – November 2025

How does research make the invisible visible in fashion, and why does it matter?

The smoke and mirrors of the fashion industry are as captivating as they are deceptive. Its beauty and allure are intoxicating, yet behind them lies a global system founded on underpaid labour, hierarchy, and inequality. Fashion is a system that determines who is central and who is (intentionally) overlooked.

This month’s theme, Research as Practice, investigates how inquiry can uncover the hidden structures of fashion. Through two essays, I explore research as a way of seeing and understanding what lies beneath fashion’s surface. What I value most about research is its ability to slow the pace. It encourages us to look closely, to pay attention, and to notice the patterns that emerge when we stop rushing. Research connects ideas that initially seem unrelated and helps us understand not just what is happening, but why. For me, this work is not abstract or distant. Research is personal. It shapes how I under…