How fashion design is helping to inform developments in surgical expertise

The sKINship project was initially founded by drawing parallels between the craftsmanship of each profession, with many similarities being recognised. The ways in which both professions cut and manipulate ‘cloth’, the use of ‘darts’ to create fullness and form, the stitch based processes employed by each and the use of patterns in planning ‘procedures’ are just a few of the examples of how these disciplines collide. A rich history has also evidenced the adoption of pattern cutting techniques in plastic surgery procedures. Breast reduction procedures today still continue to be planned using the Wise Pattern – a simple pattern developed from the components of a bra.

Since I founded sKINship in 2011, we’ve created a series of workshops and events to develop a dialogue between practitioners – taking plastic surgeons to Savile Row and pattern cutters and tailors to St Thomas’ Hospital, London. In each context, observation of the diverse set of skills and techniques has been key to informing a transfer of knowledge that the project is so keen to nurture. Having a background in plastic and metal work, I’ve been able to recognise the value of craft that underpins each profession, acting as both a starting point for collaboration and also a shared language.

Recently master classes have been led by Juliana Sissons (a pattern cutting specialist and key collaborator with the sKINship project) introducing reconstructive plastic surgeons to dress making and dart manipulation techniques. We have also run pattern cutting inspired by plastic surgery workshops for the general public whereby fashion has acted as an access point to the complex world of surgery. Sissons has also begun to apply surgical cutting and construction techniques to the creation of garments, developing interesting dart manipulation techniques and structures as a result.

BAPRAS has kindly funded sKINship to date. The project team is now making funding bids to develop closer collaborations between these professionals based upon their specialist interests. Partnerships are being created dependant on which part of the anatomy each individual specialises in, with footwear designers being paired with lower limb plastic surgeons, glove makers working with hand surgeons, underwear and swimwear designers working with reconstructive breast surgeons. And so on and so forth.

In pairing these specialists more closely, the programme’s aim is to inform the planning of surgical procedures and the design of garments. Time and space within each others’ environments will be paramount in developing dialogues further between such seemingly disparate practices. 

Rhian Solomon, Project Lead