Diseño de sistemas de oclusión aplicados al vestuario folclórico de las coreografías Ñustas y Fiñashka del Grupo Folklórico Tungurahua

Abstract

Clothing in folk dance fulfills both an aesthetic and cultural role; however, in the Tungurahua Folkloric Group, its functional performance shows limitations related to fastening systems, affecting autonomy, safety, and efficiency in stage use. The traditional garments used in the Ñustas and Fiñashca choreographies incorporate mechanisms such as ties, safety pins, and clasps, which require precise handling, generate dependence on external assistance, and extend dressing and costume-change times. The project was developed using a qualitative approach through interviews with directors and dancers, focus groups, and observation and garment analysis sheets. Additionally, a User-Centered Design (UCD) methodology was applied, along with an experimental phase of fastening systems in textile prototypes, evaluating their performance in terms of fit, safety, ergonomics, and usage time. The findings show that the main issue does not lie in the symbolic value of the costume, but in the inefficiency of its fastening systems, which condition the dancer’s performance on stage. A significant improvement in functionality was identified when more efficient fastening systems were incorporated, offering greater stability and ease of manipulation. Finally, a design proposal for fastening systems applied to the Tungurahua Folkloric Group’s costumes was developed, aimed at optimizing use, reducing dressing times, and improving user autonomy without altering the cultural identity of the garments