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MOOD BOARD: SHARD
As I explored the streets of Chinatown one thing was immediately clear, the lack of space. It is this lack of personal space that I set out to address within my Urban Adaptation project. The project was originally modeled to address the unique need for adaptability throughout the varying landscape of Chinatown. I created ‘shard’ with the goal of meeting the ever-changing requirements for personal space.
The dress is constructed from layers of individual cardboard panels covered in red silk. As the wearer moves these panels move too, swinging and flying. While in motion the size of the dress expands and the user is able to gain their much-needed space on the busy streets. However, when the person becomes still the panels fall flat allowing for decreased size and ease of movement. Modeled after the traditional sun umbrellas of Chinese culture, the dress embarrasses the sharp and obstructive shape to protect the wearer from crowded streets just as the umbrella protects its user from the sun. The red fabric is a symbol of beauty and luck in Chinese Culture this is juxtaposed with the defensive and violent panels of armor modeled after the iconic terracotta armies. It contrasts that most clearly define Chinatown, west and east, traditional and modern, crowds and calm. Shard is an attempt to reconcile the duality of chaos and calm, creating personal space and adaptability.
