Objective 2

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OBJECTIVE 2

Designing a Timeless Symbol

A Subtly Elegant Cap in Honor of the Dominican Republic

Objective 2 defines how Sustantivo translates cultural depth into form.
It focuses on the creation of a single object, the 1106 cap, as a case study in restrained design, material intention, and symbolic precision.

The project began with a simple observation: while Dominican-themed apparel is abundant, much of it relies on volume, visibility, or overt symbolism. What remained largely unexplored was an approach rooted in quiet design—one that treats cultural identity not as decoration, but as structure.

1. THE QUESTION

How can Dominican identity be expressed through an object without excess?
How can beauty, quality, and history coexist without announcement?

The 1106 cap was developed as a response to these questions—favoring endurance over immediacy, and meaning over display.

2. THE APPROACH

The design process began by removing the expected.
Cliché was replaced with first principles.

  • A custom “RD” mark was developed, embedding the silhouette of the Dominican Republic as negative space—present, but not overt.
  • A symbol of the Bayahibe rose, the nation’s endangered endemic flower, appears discreetly along the side and rear of the cap, serving as a quiet botanical signature.
  • The name 1106 references November 6, 1844, the date of official national and flag recognition, embedding historical memory beneath a minimal exterior.

Each element was designed to be discovered rather than declared.

3. MATERIAL AND CONSTRUCTION

Material decisions followed the same logic of restraint and longevity.

  • 100% wool was selected for its texture, durability, breathability, and ability to age with grace.
  • The cap is constructed to premium garment standards, with a structured crown offered in two brim profiles.
  • Each piece is presented in a custom dust bag, reinforcing its treatment as a considered object rather than disposable merchandise.

4. OUTCOME

The 1106 cap functions simultaneously as garment and artifact.

Wearers respond not only to its appearance, but to the questions it invites—about origin, symbolism, and intention. Its quiet design encourages curiosity, while its material quality supports long-term use.

5. CLOSING

Objective 2 demonstrates that Dominican identity can be expressed through restraint without losing strength. That beauty gains depth through quality. And that an object, when treated with care, can carry culture forward—quietly, deliberately, and lastingly.

AVAILABLE HERE