Seamstresses and Design’s Social Responsibility: Understanding Local Practices (Bauru, São Paulo, Brazil)

Abstract

In this investigation, we consider the work of local seamstresses as an essential point of resistance to the imposition of globalization in the city of Bauru (São Paulo, Brazil), a place shaped by industrial and patriarchal values. In particular, the lack of recognition of women in the sewing trades —especially in the interior of our State— and the neglect of seamstresses’ work in design serves as a major impetus for our research. Thus, our aim is to understand how women engage in contemporary sewing trades to support the recognition of female sewing practices within the design field. Using a qualitative approach that incorporates both deductive and inductive methods, we pursued this goal in three steps: (1) exploratory literature reviews, (2) a field study in which seven semi-structured interviews with local seamstresses were conducted to understand their work in relation to its unique characteristics, and (3) the development of a critical discussion on how design can contribute to the appreciation of seamstresses and sewing through design’s social responsibility. Gaining insight into these women and their professional practices is a significant step in portraying and understanding the individuals and processes involved in the clothing production chain.