I found as I was exploring the exhibition that my own agency was dramatically effecting my perspective of fashion. I acknowledge the limitations of fashion, but this exhibition visualized them, as well made them more permanent in my mind. The object(s) that I gravitated to the most were ones created by Grace Jun and Lucy Jones. Both designers focus on creating garments for people who have disabilities and experience their bodies changing through illness, surgery, and age. These objects communicate the importance of materials and fastenings of a garment, and movement in the body. Fashion has continued to be ableist, which is evident through a variety of dress practices studied in class, these dress practice date towards the 1800’s. The body has been seen as malleable, but really the body needs to be central to the design process in that clothing should not inhibit forms of movement. These designers dedication and investigation on how to design for a variety of people, connects me to individuals in my family effected by surgery, or have a lack of mobility, and experience issues when it comes to their own dress practices. Fashion is supposed to support the body and accommodate to its natural movement and form. It should not prevent or cause individuals problems, when it comes to getting dressed or finding beautiful clothing that one wants to buy.
Grace Jun designed a garment for breast cancer survivors who have experienced mastectomies. The garment has a technological aspect that records range of moment in the body that aids to the recovery process when analyzed by a physician.
Lucy Jones designed of shirt for a seated body, with magnetic fasteners that allow easy and minimal forms of bunching and discomfort through shaping the shirt.
