Integrative Studio/Seminar 2: Final – Representation of Marginalized Communities in the Fashion Industry

My project is on the representation of marginalized communities in the fashion industry. I created a garment that many people of different sizes are able to wear, and by presenting this, I decided to use people of color, people who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community, people of different sizes and heights, and who identify as nonbinary or genderqueer. I also wanted to break the stereotype that “female” and “male” are the only two genders, as well as gender stereotypes, by presenting a pink and blue backdrop as well as a pink a and blue garment. Ultimately, I presented a diverse group of  nine different models in a brand of my aesthetic, in order to represent inclusivity as something that everyone can be a part of.

Work in Progress:

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Concept Photos:

 

Models:

 

Model 1: Michelle

Model 2: Silas

 

Model 3: Gabi

Model 4: Yhon

Model 5: Jacques

Model 6: Michela

Model 7: William

Model 8: Alice

Model 9: Luke

Research influenced making along the process of my final because it made me feel more aware and knowledgeable about the topic that I wanted to represent. For example, when I thought about making a collection for my final, I decided to make a collection of people, rather than a collection of clothing, taking the quote of how exclusive brands are like to consumers; making it “like a slap to all of the people of color who line up to buy your clothes that your message to them [is that] you don’t see them in your world.”  In that same sense, making also influenced research when making color choices for my fabrics and in design, such as making a more loose garment, instead of fitted, and using pink and blue instead of other colors.

 


This project has been a topic of inspiration of mine for a very long time, as I am very inspired by the use of silhouette and figure of different forms and the different kinds of way clothing is draped on these different silhouettes. I also like to create more loose fitted clothing rather than tight fitted clothing, and as someone who shops in the large/plus size rack, it is difficult to find things I want to wear because my size is not provided. In terms of making and researching, I plan on doing future projects relative to inclusiveness and exclusiveness in different kinds of communities, through a range of topics. I would like to research more about sizeism and the lack of resources for plus-size people in the fashion industry, and how this may leave negative influences and ideas on plus size people, just like how people are influenced by the idea of how race represents a certain status, idea, and expense.

ELP: https://portfolio.newschool.edu/seju/

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