Bridge 4: Body Engagement

As for the Bridge Project 4, my original proposal idea was to investigate how the concept of ideal body image of females has changed differently via diverse cultures in the society throughout the history. This is connected to my seminar research paper because my research topic is related to fashion and ideal body image of women. In this case, I created a functional design that was able to express the main idea about body image of females. My design is firstly viewed in a formal style that includes a top with a bow on the back, a straight skirt with tutu, and a kimono. This design imparts a representation of an expression of the ideal body image of females, which means that women prefer to become as slim as possible to wear pretty clothes and present how beautiful they are. After transforming this design, the top becomes a headband, the skirt with tutu becomes a strapless top, and the kimono becomes a shorts. This transformation indicates that some females consider “the slim body shape” as a stereotyped concept for viewing a female’s body and propose that women should not always wear dress, skirt, corset, or anything that exposes some areas of body. Thus, these two different designs present a contrast about how people view the ideal body image of females in various ways.

 

My inspiration comes from two photos I researched online: one is the traditional Japanese Kimono, the other is the traditional ballet skirt, which can be divided into two parts: the corset and the skirt made from tulle.

 

 

 

Process

 

 

 

 

 

 

As for this project, I used normal red and black fabrics and tulle as materials of the design. The red and black fabrics was purchased from the fabric store and the tulle was deconstructed from my dress which I did not want anymore and cut into small pieces. Compared to the design I created in the Bridge Project 3, my project has changed its overall looking and functions over time, because I do not know that the three ensemble have to transform into something else at first. I recreated the design for some transformations based on the original one and also connected it with my topic for the seminar research paper. During the making process, I found that it was difficult to plan properly on which part to do first and which part to do at the end. I always made mistakes on sewing the front and back of the fabric. However, I have learned a lot from this process and acquire much more knowledge on how to make a design by myself. Also, I realized that making the patterns was really important to test how the design and fabric works well. If I have more time to work on this project, I would fix some small mistakes I made during the process and maybe add more transformations on it.

 

Project Views

Before the transformation:

 

 

 

 

After the transformation:

 

 

 

 

Wearable Views

Before the Transformation:

 

 

 

 

 

After the Transformation: