Use of Plain George Fabrics for Fashionable Apparel Among Undergraduates in Ignatius Ajuru University of Education

This study examined the suitability of plain George fabrics for the production of fashionable apparel among undergraduate students. The study was guided by five objectives and five corresponding research questions. A mixed-method research design, incorporating survey and Research and Development (R&D) approaches, was adopted. The population comprised 30,765 undergraduates of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, from which a sample of 385 respondents was selected using stratified random sampling. The findings revealed that undergraduates possess adequate knowledge of plain George fabrics and can correctly identify them among other fabrics, with a grand mean of 3.56. Results further indicated a generally positive perception of plain George fabrics among students, reflected in a grand mean of 3.25. However, factors influencing non-usage were identified, including the limited popularity of plain George fabrics in contemporary fashion and the scarcity of ready-made garments produced from the fabric, with a grand mean of 3.13. As part of the R&D component, five prototype garments—two skirts, one combat trouser, and two blouses—were designed and produced using plain George fabric. The study concluded that undergraduate students’ perceptions can be positively influenced when plain George fabrics are innovatively transformed into functional, contemporary, and aesthetically appealing apparel suitable for campus activities. Consequently, the study recommended that fashion designers develop attractive ready-to-wear garments using plain George fabrics and ensure their availability in the market to enhance acceptance and usage among undergraduates.