Piece By Piece
Here is a monochromatic project I did while studying draping. I chose to do black as I was inspired by the darkness of my room, which had no windows. The name “Piece by Piece” is reflective of the story and inspiration behind the garment, as well as the method of construction.
Inspiration
I drew my inspiration from my current state in life as a college undergrad trying to navigate through life despite all the hurdles thrown my way. After going to the Blanton Museum of art, I took note of the “organized chaos” of some of the art pieces and how each piece has various layers and significance behind each element within the art itself (left and right images). Despite the vibrant colors and how they’re full of life, the art pieces reminded me of my dark, cluttered room and my struggle with mental health, which I thought was a cool juxtaposition. In short, the garment is really about me wanting to find structure in life and getting everything together: picking myself together piece by piece and cleaning my room piece by piece.
Ideation + Process
My sketches were reflective of a structured garment to symbolize stability with fine darts, button ups details, and denim fabric (because I wear a lot of button ups and denim). I also had to dye the fabric black myself since it was a dark indigo before. It is asymmetrical and distressed to represent the chaos. The crepe-back satin deconstructed gathers (at the sleeve and hem) are a depiction of life slipping by me and how I'm trying to hold on; It was also a nice juxtaposition from the denim. Top stitching was the final detail to represent me sewing and piecing my life back together.
Final Garment
360 View
It’s also lined inside :)
2D Form Expression
I “pieced” together a collage of images I took from various self portraits of myself in the garment I made. It was shot in the bathtub that I dyed my fabric in and in the same place that I was inspired by (dark, messy, no windows). Even my shampoo and conditioner was black, which matched the monochromatic theme.
Here is a fun collaboration I did with Rachel Lazatin Aquino (also known as Spicy Gobou) and Phung Huynh.
Garment on the Runway
Modeled by Phung Huynh
Captured by Ralph Arvesen