MONOCHROME BLUE
two looks created for the cornell fashion collective 2021 outdoor show inspired by the covid-19 pandemics effect on mental health and connection. the pieces strive to highlight how hardship can motivate artistic statements and provoke reflection.
Look 1: Hands
A garment featuring hands symbolizing connection and loneliness, created with embroidery and pleating on satin fabric, complemented by platform shoes made from the same fabric. The motif of hands highlights the desire for connection during isolated times.
Look 2: Letters
Inspired by letters received and journal entries written during the pandemic, conveying messages of struggle, change, and loneliness, this asymmetrical hoodie is reminiscent of a journal entry. it features ultra-long drawstrings, embroidered phrases, and matching journal socks.
*Look 3: hearts
A last-minute creation FOR ME TO WEAR WHILE WALKING WITH MY MODELS. the heart cutout dress held together by safety pins symbolizes resilience amidst hardship and sadness, portraying the act of keeping oneself intact DESPITE STRUGGLING.
Process
I began by crafting a mood board and sketching out initial concepts. The COVID-19 pandemic deeply influenced my designs, especially its impact on mental well-being—loneliness, existentialism, dread, boredom, and a search for purpose—all magnified during the pandemic. From these reflections, I narrowed down to two distinct looks: one for a male, drawing inspiration from journal entries and received letters that encapsulated these struggles during the pandemic, and another for a female, symbolizing the longing for connection in times of isolation.
I began my design process by identifying key phrases for embroidery on the hoodie. Throughout the construction, I made adjustments and conducted multiple fittings, using serging and safety pins to achieve a rough aesthetic. Concurrently, I crafted matching socks. To refine my ideas, I conducted fittings and sketched over pictures of my model. For the dress, I intricately cut hands out of lace and draped the fabric, refining the shape through multiple iterations. Incorporating pleating and white embroidery, I experimented with the placement and direction of the hands for both coverage and visual appeal. Additionally, I layered fabric onto platform shoes to create a coordinated footwear look.
On the day of the show, the runway took place outdoors on the arts quad at school; we took pictures before.
