For bridge 3 in my Studio class we were assigned to create a garment that reflects our identity, to get inspiration for our clothing we went to the David Bowie exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum. I was intrigued by the “Screaming Byron” outfit, “These accessories compliment the flowy bohemian blouse decorated in purple tones covered in paisley designs, it being so loose it falls to the shoulder giving exposure to the chest area.” (Bowie Bridge 2) which led me to start sketching out my garment. First I did a self analysis using quotes from our previous readings:
“An ability to affirm what is contingent and incoherent in oneself may allow one to affirm others who may or may not “mirror” one’s own constitution.” (Butler, 41)
What I take from this quote is if we could understand what is uncertain in ourselves we could show our true selves if we want to or not. I connect this to my identity because so much that I show to the world is a hidden version of myself because there is still so much in me that I don’t fully understand of who I am. It takes time and work to get to the point where you are certain about everything that makes up who you are. Somedays I feel like a stranger to myself.
To create my finished garment I decided to go to Goodwill, I was looking for something with a bohemian type print preferably red, which I found a romper that would work well. Then I found a skirt which was basically like lace fabric as it was just lace and nothing underneath, I planned to use this to represent myself I’ve always loved lace. I began cutting the romper to create a cropped shirt, as I cut it I I also cut straps so I could make the shirt able to wrap so I could braid the end. I then cut out and large strip of the lace and wrapped it around my arm to find the correct size I wanted it, first I tried sewing it by hand that didn’t turn out well, so I decided to use hot glue. I created the lace sleeve and then cut the long sleeve on the shirt. I glued the lace onto the main garment at the end of the sleeve, and I cut the chest area of the shirt in near the left shoulder so it could fall to my arm and expose the chest. I then added more lace so that the chest is still visible but has a little bit of coverage. I then wrapped the shirt around me and glued it so that it would be more of a shirt then a wrap, I proceeded to braid the end of the fabric hanging.
This is the finished product:
My visit to the MOMA was very enjoyable, I went to the 3rd floor to see to assigned photographs. These were the photographs that inspired my photo, I wanted to make a collage type of picture. To identify my indentity I actually used a naked image of me as a child but covering myself up with my garment. I used a photo of the ocean I took in the Cayman Islands and just a black background.
