EXOSKELETON
EXOSKELETON
EXOSKELETON is a conceptual collection intended for a bold woman who wants her clothes to serve as a bold statement, even when she sometimes isn’t so sure of herself. She often encompasses duality, embracing many opposites to create a cohesive being. She is powerful and passionate, and this is reflected through her clothes.
The EXOSKELETON consumer is an activist and advocate for mental health and sexuality. The progression of color shown with each look represents the muse coming into her full personality and becoming comfortable with herself. The garments within this collection serve as her exoskeleton so that she doesn’t have to worry about being comfortable in her clothes; she can focus on being comfortable with herself.
EXOSKELETON creates a powerful exterior for her to wear in order to feel confident and empowered so that she can outwardly present the best version of her identity.
Photographer: Xander Opiyo
LOOK ONE
Look One features an interestingly textured sourced fabric that has dimension. With this fabric, I created a trapeze dress that features detached sleeves that have been reattached with avant garde metal wire sleeve detail. This wire sleeve detail was a learning experience, and I constructed the shape twice, with two different types of wire. At first, I obtained the desired shape, however the 16-gauge wire pieces were not able to maintain the proper shape or hold up the sleeves on their own. After discovery, discussion, and iteration, I tried again using 14-gauge wire, beads, and crimping tubes.
LOOK TWO
For Look Two, I constructed a corset that is a symmetrical, structured, and technical garment that serves as the most literal translation of armor. It provides a feminine silhouette while also being strong and heavy-duty. I have paired corset with a soft, asymmetrical skirt made of a performance jersey knit. The skirt features tiers of power mesh that are asymmetrically cut. This skirt is reminiscent of a tutu, but it is more elegant and wearable. These two garments are a dichotomy of texture and structure. On top of the corset and skirt, I created an oversized tailored jacket constructed out of a striped yellow, black, and white polyester brocade. The overall silhouette is feminine, yet the textures and proportion of the separate garment pieces make it interesting and unique.
LOOK THREE
Look 3 exhibited a pair of high-waisted wide-legged pants with slot seams down the side, featuring a yellow stripe down the leg. Paired with these pants, is a cropped turtleneck sweater with extremely long and exaggerated sleeves. This look plays with juxtaposing proportions and continues to introduce color, as it breaks away from the greyscale mold the most, featuring yellow in the pants, and a multi-colored sweater on top.
LOOK FOUR
Look 4 features a yellow pinafore style dress with a black knit dress underlay. It's silhouette is trapeze-like, which refers back to look 1, and the yellow fabric is the same as the stripe in the pant of look 3. This look represents my muse finally feeling confident and safe enough to dress how she wants, conceptualize her not only dreaming in color, but also living fully in color.
