Open Works Pitch

Open Works Pitch

unnamed-3For my installation, I am going to focus on ideal body images throughout time. (20th-21st century). Every decade, styles change in fashion, and a contributing factor to changes in style are changes in what a “beautiful” figure looks like. Decades are defined by women’s image. In the 60’s, woman were strived to be skinny/adolescent like, in the 50’s woman wanted to be very curvy, jump forward to the 90’s, woman wanted to achieve the Kate Moss “heroin-chic” look, which was muscular and skinny. But what if we didn’t single out one image? What if all of these ideals were represented together? Would each “time period” be recognizable if all the styles and shapes were mixed?

To create this installation, I want to use mix all the time periods together, so they can coexist in one space. I want to create life size black figure shapes of different body ideals from different decades. They will not be arranged in chronological order. Also, I would use photoshop to mix different makeup styles on features of the face and hang the photos.

I think it is important to represent time in this way because it draws attention to a relevant issue. Instead of singling out one image, like American society has done in every decade in the past, focusing equally on many images eliminates how time affects what is considered beautiful.

 

Maintaining a healthy balance between work and play is a lifelong challenge that begins from the delicate time of childhood. Discipline, hard work and success are best complimented by play, laughter and friendship. As a Fashion Design major with a focus in childrenswear, I have discovered that my smartest ideas have spawned from my silliest moments. Living in New York City has given me endless opportunities to seek adventure and fun. I take those experiences into the studio at Parsons School of Design and try to create something new and exciting. I design garments that are multi-functional for a child. Rompers that double as sports practice attire, or dresses that double as art smocks are garments that encourage children to succeed in their areas of interest, while providing functionality for their busy schedules. Recently, I took this concept a step further and began to design school attire that incorporates crafty features that allow children to play with their clothes. Tops you can paint on, vests you can weave together, and jackets with patches you can take on and off give a child a fun activity that allows them to express themselves. Using classic silhouettes and clean lines, combined with non-traditional materials and bold color pops, I try to give recognizable staple pieces something new and unique. I don’t research ideas; I let them come to me naturally. I often go to toy stores, playgrounds, and bookstores and let my inner child run free. Usually, I will stumble across something that sparks a new idea. Next, I begin to design. My 2D designs are guided by my 3D discoveries. I can’t draw a garment until I know how and if it will work. To begin, I create tons of swatches to test combinations of fabrics and attachments. Next, I test different crafts and transformative ideas. Once I know what works, I begin to draw my designs in Illustrator. I use simple silhouettes, which serve as a canvas for the more intricate features. The challenge is to create something that is simple, smart, and durable, while still appearing chic and stylish. In a society where kids are pressured with increasingly heavier loads of homework and unrealistic standards for success, it is very difficult for so many to find a healthy balance between work and play, which is crucial. If I could create something that gives them the ability to play and boost their confidence, then I would feel like I made a difference. Going forward, I will continue to build on this concept and expand my knowledge of craft and wearable tech. Working more directly with children during my process will allow me to connect with their ideas and opinions. In order to design for a kid, sometimes I have to think like one. One day, I hope to start my own line and share my vision with the world. I believe everyone should spend their lives smiling, not stressing. As Mary Poppins said, “in every job that must be done, there is an element of fun. Find the fun and the job’s a game!”

5 Comments

  1. John Roach · April 21, 2015 Reply

    QUESTIONS: What might your strategies be to present your underlying idea of the ideal co-existence of these various body types ? What allows us to understand them as a totality (a gestalt) rather than disconnected parts of a story or history?
    Do examples exist in popular media or the arts in which these various body types are allowed to coexist? Where they are celebrated? Are there communities that have celebrated difference in this way?
    How does the WAY you choose to display impact how we interpret the combinations you are presenting to us?

    REFERENCES: Kara Walker’s silhouettes; Ideal Body Type video – https://youtu.be/Xrp0zJZu0a4; Lorna Simpson,

  2. John Roach · April 21, 2015 Reply

    REFERENCE:
    Not directly related, but interesting in terms of identity and fashion: Lucy Orta – http://www.studio-orta.com/en/artwork/186/Identity-Refuge-experimental-catwalk
    Lucy and Bart
    http://lucyandbart.blogspot.com/

  3. Ana Sofia Batlle · April 22, 2015 Reply

    How are you going to make your project different from all of the other body image projects that have been done before?

  4. Claire Coleman · April 22, 2015 Reply

    What are your ideas for the video component?

  5. sepuv845 · April 22, 2015 Reply

    will you be making a commentary on the varying shapes and sizes, or are you simply showcasing it? What do you want the audience to take away from this?

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