DATA

Dear ,

With this letter I would like to cordially invite you to participate in a qualitative study for my clothing collection, entitled DATA.

The goal of the study is a deeper understanding of a group of people who got me interested in their persona based on character traits, behavior or shared experiences.

The data collected will ultimately serve as a reference for me to realize a collection that appeals to all those people who identify with your characteristics and values or feel attracted to them - in short: my target group.

Among a selection of 28 people you belong to this subjectively chosen group.

In collaboration with Olivia Kalinowski, PhD student at the Charité Psychiatric University Clinic at St. Hedwig Hospital, this study will put the subject, namely you, through a sequence of data collection and consultations designed by us.

The first part of the study consists of psychological testing (1) and an interview (2), after which we will obtain a pool of data outlining the nuances of your character attributes and traits. At a later stage, when the collection has progressed, I'm inviting to a voluntary exchange between groups of subjects and myself (3).

Background

First a brief explanation of my general view of clothing and its direct function of conveying the inside to the outside.

In chemistry, the term ‘catalyst’ refers to a substance or conductor that accelerates or increases the energy of another, already existing substance without dissolving or consuming itself.

I view clothing in a similar way: I believe that clothing is only ever a catalyst for the character attributes that are already present in the wearer. Clothing itself cannot imitate or replace these attributes and attempts to do so usually result in a costume that is inauthentic and easy to unmask. Clothing therefore does not stand above the wearer, but merely compliments their nature and expression.

At the same time, the designer is obliged in his role to recognize this nature in the wearer, to filter it down to it's attractive attributes and to emphasize them without obsessively trying to force only his own concept of creativity into the design.

I construct my clothes with this premise in mind.

Study process

The study is carried out in 3 steps, with step 1) and step 2) forming the core of the study. Step 3) is a conclusive process that takes place at a later stage of the realisation of the collection and is based on the findings of the study in connection with designs that have already been devel- oped.

1) Big Five Personality Inventory

Today’s letter marks the beginning of the first phase of this study, in which I would like to invite each of you to take part in a general psychological test: the Big Five Personality Inventory.

The test is a general evaluation of your personality traits in a psychological context. You will find it in the drop-down-menus below, to be completed via an online form, should you want to participate.

If you do not wish to participate fully in the study, completing only this step 1) is already an important contribution.

Time required: 10-15 minutes

2) Interview

At the end of this letter you will receive a list of questions that will prepare you for an interview that you can conduct either in person or via video call.

The interview is based on the concept of grounded theory. This means that the researchers do not attempt to prove a predetermined thesis. Rather, in exploratory research, patterns and correlations are identified in the course of the process and ultimately summarized in a conclusion. There are no time or formal limits to the answers. We want to enable you to answer the questions without any pressure of expectation.

Time required: 30-60 minutes

3) Consultation

Based on the collection of quantitative data from step 1) and qualitative data from step 2), we will put together a selection of individuals who will meet with me at a later stage of the collection to discuss questions and suggestions that have arisen for me and you from the study and the subsequent creative process. This part of the study is exploratory in nature and is not subject to any expectations.

Zeitaufwand: 45 - 60 Minuten

If you are interested in the study but do not want to commit to each of the three points, you have the following options:

1. participation in step 1), without step 2) and step 3)

2. participation in step 1) and 2), without step 3)

Addition

As I want to integrate you into this collection not only metaphorically and mentally, I ask the participants of this study for a voluntary face scan. You can do this privately or in my presence during the personal interview. This scan will become part of an abstract montage of the faces of all the individuals in the study, which will ultimately become the motif for the lining fabrics in the collection.

Furthermore, a discreet dedication of your first names will be visible in designated places on the inside of the clothing.

In the course of previous conversations, the question repeatedly arose as to how exactly character attributes and traits will show up in clothing. In the end, the answer lies between the lines and needs no explanation. If I implement this collection well, its appeal will be recognizable to people who share your characteristics and attributes or are attracted to them.

Participation

Please let me know as soon as possible, at the latest 15th of April 2024, if you accept or decline the invitation.

If you would like to take part, please let me know how you would like to participate. Please understand that we reserve the right to adjust, i.e. reduce, the course of study for individual participants due to an increased number of confirmations.

As soon as I have a list of participants who are sure to take part, I will contact you to discuss individual appointments and further procedures.

I ask for absolute discretion about this project throughout the entire period of the study and collection development. Thank you for your understanding.

I would be delighted if you decide to be part of this process and a core element of my collection.

Sincerely,

Ruben