This collection was created for my subject Hard to Dress, in which we examined the concept of the BEAST. My definition of the beast takes on an ‘armour’ like form as it is something I see as having a tough, outer shell but then upon further examination, appears quite beautiful and serene. Despite its initial aggressive appearance, my beast is in fact not menacing at all but awe-inspiring and something to be marvelled at, hence why I have chosen to depict my garments in a graceful, yet powerful way.
I examined this concept through the lens of DRESS, in which I took two very classic, timeless silhouettes and enhanced and modified them through a unique use of materiality.
The driving force behind both designs was really the sensory experience of the materiality, which I discovered in the swatch-making process through experimenting with the idea of combining hard and soft materials to conform to and to conceal the body. The tinkling of the thumbtacks and the clanging of the wood and metal create an other-worldly experience and further add to my understanding of the beast. The colour gold further adds to the sensory experience as the light reflections change with movement and the inconsistencies and textures created in the foiling process enchant the viewer.
Photographer: Kelly Lim
Models: Charlie Sears & Georgia McNaughton