Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, Santa Barbara, 1999.

Thesis (BTech (Fashion Design))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2010 / Children with autism experience fine motor difficulties that affect their ability to perform daily tasks. The purpose of this research study was to help improve these fine motor difficulties by teaching the child a specific skill which is to be able to dress oneself. The information gathered through the data gathering techniques described in this study, proved important in creating the practical component of this research study. It included a practical and functional children's wear range with a corresponding interactive Leam-To-Dress storybook. The findings of this study suggest that there is a need for the acquisition of the important life skill, to be able to dress oneself. This was made possible with the use of the interactive Leam-To-Dress. storybook with its' corresponding outfit

M.Tech. / The aim of my research is to discover how the garments, beadwork and accoutrements worn and used by proponents of the ukuthwasa1 subculture manifest meaning and significance amongst healers and initiates in the White River area, Eastern Mpumalanga. The visual language and style of traditional healers in this region is unique in South Africa, as it is informed by belief systems incorporating primarily the Nguni2 and the Emandzawe3 cultures. Also, they are influenced by the combined garment styles of the Swazi, and to a lesser extent the Shangaan and Tsonga people resident in this area. I suggest, therefore that ukuthwasa style in this region acts as a visual repository of these amalgamated cultures, which I visually substantiate through relevant photographic documentation. This study includes considerations of the way in which ritual objects, shrines and architectural spaces are dressed and decorated. Furthermore I examine how the beadwork and apparel aid in constructing and establishing identity and status within the designated society, and how, over and above the dictates of their tradition, personal preferences and different ways of teaching doctrine allow for individual interpretation. I also examine ways in which dress and beadwork serve as a site of knowledge and healing, and results in a fluidity of artistic expression, which defies categorisation and constantly invigorates the existing culture. Lastly, I consider change through urbanization and its impact on this culture.

Masters in Public Administration - MPA / This reseacrh report is about the current role of the government/state in the restructuring of the clothing and textile industry in South Africa / South Africa

Magister Philosophiae - MPhil / The Islamic dress code has been forcibly imposed on the women in Sudan, since 1983, and many feminists researchers have criticized the practices of the veil as a tool to oppress women. This study aimed to explore a group of Sudanese women, currently living in South Africa, experiences and perceptions of the veil, whether the veil is a religious dress code or a tool that has been used to exercise inequality. / South Africa

The purpose of this study was to discover the statistically significant relationships between selected background variables and the clothing interest scores of Negro girls and to indicate their nature. The variables selected for study were residence, age, number of siblings, father's occupation, marital status of parents, and family structure.

It is highly desired, by authorities in the field of education, that costumes be required of students when participating in physical education activities. Since most schools do require all students to take part in physical education, it is believed that the proper wearing apparel adds to the effectiveness and wholesomeness of the class.

This study explored the effects of counselor dress style and counselor and subject gender on clients' expectations about counseling. Two hundred fifty undergraduate students were given Tinsley's Expectations About Counseling questionnaire. Dress style was shown to have no effect on the expectations measured. Significant main effects were found for client gender, counselor gender and their two way interaction on the measures of responsibility, acceptance, confrontation, empathy, genuineness, tolerance, trustworthiness, concreteness, and immediacy. Post hoc analysis revealed that both male and female participants had higher expectations of female counselors than male counselors. Participants of both genders also expected female counselors to be more confrontive, genuine, trustworthy, concrete, and accepting than male counselors. They also had a higher expectation that counseling would address their immediate concerns.

The purpose of this research was to analyze US apparel trade building up to and following the MFA IV renewal in 1986, so as to gain insight into the reasons for US apparel industry support of the new fiber inclusions, and to gauge effects of MFA IV on US apparel imports overall and specifically from the PRC. The study focused on the period 1978 - 1988. Total imports from all suppliers (World) were examined by country of origin: China (PRC), and rest of world (ROW); fiber content: MFA IV-fiber or all fibers and whether knitted or woven construction. The imports were then examined to determine the impact of economic variables such as the exchange rate, and US personal apparel consumption expenditure (PCE). Imports were found to have increased from 1978 to 1987 and then to have declined in all categories except one from 1987 to 1988. The MFA IV, implemented in August 1986 was believed to have caused a reduction of import volumes after an initial lag period (expected in international trade). However, other factors were implicated in the trade reduction primarily the fall of the dollar. The dollar was strong through the early 1980s until its peak in 1985, it then declined for the rest of the study. The one category which continued to increase after the trade restriction was items of MFA IV woven apparel. The reason for this continued increase is not clear but it is believed to be the absence of specific restriction, i.e., pure silk had not been included in bilateral agreements so it is possible that suppliers were switching the product mix to increasing quantities of the less restricted group. Also this would have been the case if the items were coming from new and/or unrestricted suppliers. In conclusion, it is felt that the apparel import rate or increase was the primary concern and the factor that determined action not the actual volume of imports as the MFA IV-fibers were increasingly used in apparel production. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this study was to determine if there were differences in clothing values between Black and White middle-income women patronizing the primary and second-order markets, and to determine if there were differences in the clothing buying practices between these groups in the two markets. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to a purposive sample of 250 Black and White women residing in three metropolitan areas. The clothing values measured were economic, political, religious, and conformity. Eighteen clothing buying practices were included in this study. N1ne practices were speclfical1y directed toward the second-order market shoppers. Variations were found in the rank order of clothing values within the two groups. Blacks ranked the religious value higher and conform1ty lower than the Whites. Blacks scored higher on the economic and re1igous clothing values while Whites scored higher on conformity. Significant differences between Black and White middle-income women in their clothing buying practices were found in: (1) the method used to acquire the majority of clothing; (2) the percentage of personal clothing items purchased in primary stores; and (3) buying pattern for a dress costing more than $50.00. Significant differences between Black and White middle-income women who used the second-order market were found in: (1) length of time respondents had purchased used-clothing; (2) satisfaction with price when making used-clothing purchases; (3) shopping the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and thrift stores; purchasing of (4) pants; and buying used-clothing to wear for (5) work and (6) school. Middle-income women who used the primary market exclusively scored higher on the conformity clothing value than did those who used the second-order market. Black consumers who used the second-order market held higher religious clothing values and lower conformity values than did the White women. / Ph. D.