Month: February 2018

Previous Work: Costuming

Cherche – Fire Emblem: Awakening (2015)

Sewn garments:

  • smock
  • pants
  • boot covers
  • lace headdress
  • gloves

Armour (thermoplastic + craft foam):

  • neck piece
  • breastplate
  • tassets
  • pauldrons
  • gauntlets
  • knee guards
  • shin guards
  • shoes

Wooden prop:

  • hand axe

 

Tharja – Fire Emblem: Awakening (2016)

Sewn garments:

  • cape
  • bra
  • mesh bodysuit

Armour (thermoplastic, EVA foam, brass):

  • neck piece
  • loincloth guard
  • crown

 

Charlotte – Fire Emblem: Fates (2016)

Sewn garments:

  • bra cover
  • pelt
  • arm warmers
  • socks
  • garter
  • bow

Armour (thermoplastic):

  • pauldrons
  • gauntlets
  • bra shells
  • midsection piece
  • boots

 

Orochi – Fire Emblem: Fates (2016)

Sewn garments:

  • kimono crop top
  • pants
  • arm socks

Accessories (clay, thermoplastic, EVA foam, beads):

  • hair clips
  • comb
  • bracelets
  • loin guards

 

Asuka Langley Sōryu – Neon Genesis Evangelion (2015, beta) (2017, remade)

Sewn garments:

  • bodysuit
  • gloves
  • boot covers

Armour (thermoplastic):

  • pauldrons/shoulder guards
  • back piece
  • bra shells
  • suit nozzles

Time Map Project

Original Planning

Initially, my plans were to explore a number of locations around Manhattan that interested me; those of which included the Garment District, Korea Town, and the Chelsea pier. I ended up only going to the Garment District with a friend the day after the time map was first assigned, and collected unique fabric swatches from Mood Designer Fabrics. Ultimately, however, I scrapped the idea of exploring fashion/retail as it did not resonate with me personally.

After this, I instead thought about how I could incorporate decorative paper instead into my time map:

These packs of origami paper inspired me to think of more personal connections I had with Asian cultures and influences in my life, specifically Japanese. I began to build upon the idea of all the [Japanese] places I’ve grown up with, visited, and now frequent in my life – specifically restaurants. All the locations which I thought of that have sentimental value to me included Little Tokyo in Los Angeles, CA, 9th Street and St. Marks in NYC, and Kyoto, Japan itself. I wished to combine all these places in one street scene which would be ambiguous as to a definitive location, but would be definitely Japanese in theme.

Beta Mockups/Progress

I had planned to make a mini theatre-like contraption with four layers of the four locations I settled on, each made out of origami paper cutouts to create a three dimensional street scene. When I realised that this would be too complicated to complete in the allotted amount of time, I turned to a 3D collage alternative of my chosen locations with photos I had taken myself but this didn’t end up working logistically either, and the whole box concept was scrapped.

The photo of my friends (top middle cutout) that was taken in Little Tokyo last summer, though, brought up all the good memories I’ve experienced with friends leading up to college (where I would move away from everything and everyone I knew). I then decided that I would do something with photographs and some other analogue medium instead.

Final Concept + Layout

Choosing polaroid pictures spanning from March-August 2017, I’ve selected some of my favourite moments to incorporate into a scrapbook/memory map compilation. I purposefully titled each piece with familial language because I think of my friends as my family, and they have been there for me no matter what like a real family would.

Completed Pieces 

Albeit this result being drastically different from my original planning, I feel as if it is more successful in its outcome compared to what it could have been. The moments I’ve chosen to memorialise are as follows:

  • Sleepover,” 15 March 2017 – My favourite convention hotel experience, spent with my friends in San Diego.
  • 18,” 15 May 2017  – My 18th birthday party.
  • Family Dinner,” 4 July 2017 – A picture of all of my good friends whom I do not get to see often at my favourite ice cream shop in Little Tokyo, Honeymee (during Anime Expo, one of the biggest summer conventions in California).
  • Mom & Dad,” 6 July 2017 – One of our friends from San Francisco came to visit for a week.
  • Family Reunion,” 16 August 2017 – The last time I got together with my friends before moving to New York from California.