1.1 Introduction
Clothing is one among the most important three basic needs in every human life. It protects our body from various climates and gives us good appearance. A dress satisfies social and emotional needs but it is worn on body and it becomes part of our physical being. Clothing refers to a covering of all human societies. Clothing performs a range of social and cultural functions, such as individual, sexual differentiation, occupational and social status. Clothing reflects standards of modesty, status, gender, religion and expression of personal taste. Garment construction has both technical and design issues, the designer can choose where to construct lines like pockets, collars, plackets, sleeves and how to finish edges and how to produce volume and structure in order to create a good look and experience for the wearer.
As a prelude to other parts of this study, this chapter will discuss the background upon which this study was initiated, the statement of problems that led to this study, the Aim and Objectives of the study. Others are Significance of the study, Scope of work, Research hypothesis and questions, Limitations of the Study and Definition of technical terms.
1.2 Background of Study
Formal occasion is an occasion that is meant for formal gatherings eg interviews, meeting, board room meetings etc. each and every one of these occasions requires a specific wear or out fit for it. In Boardroom meetings, one needs to dress in a cooperate or formal outfit. A female worker attending boardroom meetings should dress nice and decent in a formal manner because your appearance speaks more of you one cannot wear an outfit meant for parties to a meeting.
Formal wears come in different styles and designs. They can be a suit of different styles, skirts and shirts, trousers and shirts and a dress of different styles and designs. But no matter one’s choice of style it has to be formal. Formal wears for board room meeting can be sews with various materials such as veritable wax, garbadine, suit materials, London wax even local fabrics like kente, Ankara etc and also synthetic fabrics and blends. However, a sticking discovery about what most female workers wore to meetings has been made. Most of the female workers wears suit to board room meetings not knowing that other materials can e used in making a co-operate and decent outfits for these meetings.
The circumstances that led the choice of fabric and design that will be use in execution of the work is that the materials are durable and it is a design that will not go out of trend. The wearer will feel comfortable with it and being that in most boardroom meetings the environment is always cool. With this design the wearer won’t feel cold or hot because of the texture of the fabrics and the design.
A garment is constructed by cutting the fabric in to parts according to a pattern which fits the human form then the different parts are joined together by sewing. Garment making requires knowledge of fabrics, principles of clothing construction and skills involved in it. This depends on the ability to select the correct fabric, accessories, design and colour to suit an individual occasion. Garment construction is usually guided by a pattern. A pattern can be simple; some patterns are nothing more than a mathematical formula that the sewer calculates based on the intended measurements. Once calculated, the sewer has the measurements needed to cut the cloth and sew the garment together. Pattern making is a complex task as no two human beings are identical.
Therefore, in Nigeria where the research was carried out, the activities that was conducted is to know the Production of Formal Occasion (Boardroom Meeting) Wear For a Young Lady.
1.3 Statement of Problems
Investigate revealed that most of the female workers wore suit or ready-made wears to meetings while other materials like Ankara, kente etc can be used for the same purpose. Most of their wears shows all the erogenous part of their body which is not good for the occasion. Formal occasion are business like occasions, so the outfit you wear has to be formal and decent enough.
1.4 Aim and Objectives of Study
The aim of the study is to examine the Production of Formal Occasion (Boardroom Meeting) Wear For a Young Lady. In achieving this aim, the following specific objectives were laid out as follows:
- To evaluate the approach of young ladies towards their outfit to boardroom meeting be changed;
- To produce a boardroom meeting wear for a young lady;
- To assess the attributes of a formal occasion wear (Boardroom meeting); and
- To examine the possible use of plain fabric and Ankara for the production of boardroom meeting wear for a young lady.
1.5 Research Questions
The study came up with research questions so as to be able to ascertain the above stated objectives. The specific research questions for the study are stated below as follows:
- Can approach of young ladies towards their outfit to boardroom meeting be changed?
- Is it possible to use plain fabric and Ankara for the production of boardroom meeting wear for a young lady?
- What are the design measures suitable for the occasion?
- What are the attributes of a formal occasion wear (Boardroom meeting)?
1.6 Significance of Study
From the findings of this study a lot of up-coming young female workers will benefit from it. They will know how to combine their fabrics in making their outfits. They will also know that when they chose a better material and style for their outfit and well sewn, it will come off better.
This information can get to these persons through organizing seminars, workshop etc on dress codes.
This study will be of immense benefit to other researchers who intend to know more on this study and can also be used by non-researchers to build more on their research work. This study contributes to knowledge and could serve as a guide for other study.
1.7 Scope of Study
The scope of the research is focused on the Production of Formal Occasion (Boardroom Meeting) Wear for a Young Lady.
1.8 Limitations of the Study
During the course of this study, many things militated against its completion, some of which are:
- Time Constraint: The time frame given to accomplish this project was very short due to school academic calendar and it was carried out under pressure which made the researcher not to implement some necessary features.
- Research material: availability of research material is a major setback to the scope of the study.
- Frequent power failure: This made the researcher append more money on fuel to ensure sustainable power.
- Financial Constraint: Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).
1.9 Definition of Terms
Formal occasion: It is an occasion that is meant for formal gatherings eg interview, meetings etc.
Formal wear: It is an upscale clothing work formal event.
Jumpsuit: A piece of clothing originally referred to the functional one-piece garment used by parachuters.
