Analyses of Surrealism-Inspired Fashion Designs by Applying the SCAMPER Creativity Tools

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to utilize SCAMPER creativity tools to analyze surrealism-inspired fashion designs and to evaluate the creative value of surrealist fashion while providing a systematic source for creative design ideation. Thirty-two surrealism-inspired collections, introduced from 2000 S/S to 2016 F/W and highlighted by articles in Vogue and Elle, were analyzed by applying the sub-questions of SCAMPER. The results demonstrate that surrealism-inspired fashion designs are valuable for creative design ideation because all 10 SCAMPER components—Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Magnify, Minify, Put to other use, Eliminate, Rearrange and Reverse—are utilized in the analyzed designs. Specifically, the following expression techniques are found: 3-D substitution of 2-D and vice versa; combination of two items as well as 2-D and 3-D; adaptation of surrealist artists’ works, techniques for the decoration, and morphologically similar objects; size and morphological modification of items, objects, and decorations; items and objects put to other use; partial elimination of garments including leaving holes and cuts in garments; and rearranging of garment parts including reversal of front/back and in- side/outside. In the future, more surrealism-inspired collections should be analyzed to accumulate a greater variety of creative design examples.