Designers
Designers
Designers
SCENE
Exploring how dress and perception influence belonging in New York hospitality spaces.
Key Words
Designers
Mary Bace
SUMMARY
This project grew from noticing how difficult it is to understand what to wear in New York, where appearance is shaped by context and constant visibility. I saw how people search for visual references but cannot find reliable, real-world examples. My research confirmed a need for clearer, context-based information. I developed a concept for a visual tool that connects real outfits to real venues, helping users navigate dressing for the city with more clarity.
challenge
Stakeholders consistently struggled to find accurate insight on what to wear in different New York settings. They bounced between TikTok, Instagram, and Google but found content that lacked context and did not reflect real behavior. Interviews and observation revealed a gap for a centralized, reliable source of visual information tied to specific venues. This presented an opportunity to create a tool that reduces uncertainty and supports more confident decision-making.
Outcome
The project resulted in a digital app concept that compiles real user outfits and connects them to specific New York venues. With features like tagging, filtering, and community input, it provides clear visual guidance grounded in real moments rather than aspirational content. This directly addresses the need for accurate, context-specific information and fills a market gap where existing platforms lack reliability, helping users make clearer and more informed choices.
MEET THE Designers:
Mary Bace