String Theory

Concept

String Theory was based on the concept of revealing and concealing. As I delved into the research of the theoretical physics’ String Theory in Seminar II, I realized that there is so much more than what meets the eye… that true beauty lies in what you cannot see. The String Theory is “based on the existence of cosmic strings,” as defined by Google Dictionary. It involves the notion that there are 10 extra dimensions to the universe. These strings of energy, called superstrings,  are what formed the basis of my design through the exposed stitching. I wanted to emulate energetic vibrations and the connectivity of the whole universe, while also portraying the freedom of becoming yourself. In the end we are all part of the same universal energy, but unique in that we can use it to be who we want to be. The issue is that people have a tendency to go against their own nature in order to fit in. Thus, by melting away of the plastic layer of the bodice, I am showing how the not-so-pleasing superficial layers of a person can be stripped away (after awakening and seeing the grand scheme of the world for the first time) in order to free the supreme and organic self.

Method

I first developed the pattern digitally through Adobe Illustrator for the first time. After printing, I cut the pattern pieces out of the fabric and water soluble interfacing. I stitched on top of water soluble interface, lined with regular interfacing for rigidity while sewing, in a grid-like fashion for the bottom 3/4 of the bodice and randomly on the top 1/4 of the bodice. After doing so for all pattern pieces of the bodice, I removed the regular interfacing grid by grid as to not rip the stitching. I did a two layer skirt for more opacity and more flow. I used silver and blue-silver decorative thread for the rolled hem and overlocking to give a starry appearance to the navy blue skirt. I attached the skirt and bodice together using a zipper.

Materials

Product

Visual Essay- Evolution of the Human Body

This assignment consisted of the deconstruction of an item or concept with a significant prevalence throughout history. I concentrated on the concept of transforming the human body by means of adoration, clothing, accessories, etc. This interest was sparked by a trip to Thailand, where I saw many Kinari statue in the Grand Palace wearing ear cuffs. I later found out that these ear cuffs were known as Kaffas and are part of the traditional Thai dress. However, seeing such accessories on a statue hundreds of years old made me wonder how the far into the future the human mind perceives, and how there has always been some desire in humans to elevate or reconfigure the body through accessories, clothing, and even surgical procedures. I first created the mood board below to convey this concept to the class. I later expanded on the history, present, and potential future course of this concept in a visual essay format in order to study how this is so heavily engrained into humankind. For the mood board, I used Photoshop to cut the subjects from the backgrounds, and to adjust the tones. I then processed and laid out all the images into a collage on Illustrator and used various tools to add accents such as lines and paint. For the Visual Essay, I used InDesign and created my own layout using a grid to make sure all pages are consistent.

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