Seven Bodies. Parametric design dialogues around the body

The essay explores the possible horizons of fashion oriented research from a perspective of technological manipulation of the body. Through an intense and critical dialogue series, the body's construction is projected on the border between tangible and virtual to rediscover new expressive possibilities. Specifically, the essay describes the first phase of the Postdigital Manufacturing Processes. Body hacking for productive systems project funded under the VALERE Program at University of Campania “L.Vanvitelli”. From an analytical case study mapping phase, the project aimed to experiment with an interactive engagement of a series of focus groups with advanced digital technologies. Through this methodological practice based research, the essay describes the phase that involved seven international personalities in the fashion and design industry. The cycle of seminars, which lasted six months, was elaborated to have a direct dialogue with some of the most emblematic protagonists of the panorama relate d to fashion tech. (Toeters, 2020). The meetings contributed to the deepening of the project's themes by introducing new knowledge and technological processes. The second part of the essay illustrates a parametric study aimed at the definition of seven animations dedicated to each lecture. The seven animations, executed through the software Grasshopper, accompany the different dialogues intended as different perspectives around the digital body.