SUMMARY
This project aims to elevate the Dominican Republic's fashion industry by addressing its fragmented networks, limited resources, and lack of government support. Starting with insights from local designers, and current and historical research, we identified gaps like insufficient infrastructure and global access. Through research, we proposed LOOK at Dominican Fashion, a digital platform offering community funding, educational modules, marketing resources, and local supply chain connections. This project highlights the cultural and economic value of Dominican fashion, advocating for government investment to support and globalize the industry.
challenge
The Dominican fashion industry faces challenges including fragmented networks, high production costs, limited global visibility, and minimal government support. Through interviews with local designers, we uncovered key gaps: a lack of infrastructure, difficulty accessing international markets, and perceptions of fashion as a hobby rather than a viable industry. These challenges highlight opportunities to create a cohesive platform that connects designers, educates stakeholders, and advocates for government investment, ultimately addressing these gaps and fostering sustainable growth for the industry.
Outcome
The project culminated in “LOOK At Dominican Fashion” a digital platform designed to support Dominican fashion designers by offering educational resources, supply chain connections, and branding opportunities. This platform addresses stakeholders' needs by fostering industry cohesion, providing tools to enhance global visibility, and positioning fashion as an economic asset to encourage government support. “LOOK At Dominican Fashion” bridges gaps in infrastructure and representation, creating a sustainable pathway for local designers to thrive both nationally and internationally.
