Otherness
Sophomore Fashion Design students were presented with their semester project: Otherness where they were urged to explore ancient China and Yves Saint Laurent as inspiration for a final capsule collection.
“We were introduced to otherness, a project inspired by ancient China, Yves Saint Laurent, and the inspiration of other cultures, through black and white images of Machu brides dressed in volumes clothing, detailed with geometric lines, their hair decorated with beads. The pictures themselves let out a texture, grain-like, with scribbled writing along the edges, giving a sense of intimacy from the past. Searching through these pictures, I wondered who took them and was the camera’s technology from China. Come to find out, these particular images were taken by a Scottish photographer, a traveler. He documented his travels in China, and as he walked the streets photographing, children ran away believing these unknown devices were used to steal their souls. This idea could very well be debated, photographing is capturing another, taking it and creating an image out of this capture.
Going into research, I found diagrams of the Camera Obscure, writings mostly in French. However, the first diagrams of the camera obscure came to be, by Chinese philosopher Mozi who has been known for the fundamental doctrine of undifferentiated love (Ji- anai)
To find the colors theme and textiles that would make up this project, I snapped photos with my analog camera, got them developed and printed. The photos glistened, exuding colors of blues, greens, blacks, and grays.
I continued looking at the photographs of the Machu brides, however this time at their clothing. I continuously drew my silhouettes quickly, repeating them as my eyes stared at the oversized leaves and geometric attachments. To bring in modern approach- es to these designs I studied the 90’s looks of Yohji Yamamoto, enamored with the tailored techniques in contrast with the casually draped fabrics. I then studied Anne Demeulemeester, an aesthetic I am drawn to tailored and rock & roll. I realized I badly wanted to learn the tailored techniques. I, therefore, collected thrifted suits, took them apart seam by seam, creating silhouettes that would make up my line up.
The film texture and color scheme of the film photographs followed throughout the construction of my final garments that were transformations of the tailored aesthetic.”
