INNOVATIVE CLOTHING DESIGN FOR WOMEN DURING PREGNANCY

During pregnancy there is an evident change in the physical appearance of a woman's body. The most evident change is the substantial weight gain, increased abdominal region, torso and hip, and limbs thickening. Physical changes leads to the need of a wardrobe changing, especially in the fourth month of pregnancy. Given these factors the question arises is to identify the transformations of body conformation and ensure a maximum comfort in developing clothing products for this category. Because it is a continuous transformation, the products must be designed to be adjustable and versatile, ensuring their usability for a long period of the pregnancy and even after birth. The paper presents the specific algorithms for body conformations during pregnancy and the patterns designed based on these algorithms with the proper modifications. The principle of designing clothes for pregnant women refers to the introduction of pregnancy-related size changes in the standard method of pattern design. The research was conducted by INCDTP during the initial stage of a project, financed through national founds, consisting in a documentary study on morphologic indicators of women during the pregnancy period, the changes observe and their application in pattern design. Following the principles specific to the product group studied regarding comfort and style, INCDTP specialists have developed and produced a collection of clothing products for women during pregnancy. Key words: Pregnancy, algorithms, proportions, morphological indices, pattern design, clothing, changes