This Master of Design thesis research engages with a praxis of decolonial love through garment construction and beadwork as a practice-based method of inquiry. This research centres decolonial love as methodology with the expressed purpose to physically and conceptually re-stitch alternative worlds that are grounded in ethical practices and based on respect, empathy, reciprocity, consent and love. Engaging in decolonial love as praxis, the artistic production of this MDes thesis re-frames pattern drafting, garment construction and stitching methods within decolonial and relationship-based contexts. This MDes thesis prioritizes, and foregrounds, all of the relationships that make up my identity as a Penetanguishene Aabitaawikwe and centres these relationships as praxis towards building alternative worlds of love that honour, celebrate and mobilize Indigenous internationalism, intercultural solidarity, co-resistance and liberation.

Keywords: decolonial love, Indigenous diaspora, alternative worlds, liberation, re-stitching, garment construction, beadwork

Website: https://www.justinewoods.com/