P006 → GESTATION
2023 - Real Leather Stay Different Competition(Taiwan Region) - Overall Winner
Real Leather Stay Different Competition(Taiwan Region) - Gold Award(apparel)
Real Leather. Stay Different. International Competition Awards Ceremony (collaboration with Lineapelle) / Fashion Design
While planning my graduation project, I aimed to honor all the influential "mothers" in my life, including my biological mom, dad, grandma, and teachers. Recognizing their impactful roles inspired me to redefine perceptions of motherhood's power. Researching on how to represent this strength led me to focus on the complex relationship stemming from pregnancy. I challenged stereotypical portrayals in the design industry by exploring and reimagining the experiences of pregnant women.
Reading "Mother: An Unconventional History" by Sarah Knott enhanced my understanding, emphasizing women's resilience and adaptability. It inspired my project's foundation: portraying women as "complicated and flexible." Not a direct reflection in design, these terms laid a theoretical groundwork, symbolizing women's incredible capacity. My concept aimed to challenge norms, highlighting the nurturing and transformative nature of motherhood. This exploration uncovered a deeper truth: fostering connections and love are paramount in humanity. Beyond mere progress, my design strives to rekindle emotions, igniting warmth and profound connections, reminding people of the significance of love and human relationships.
LOOK 1 - Warm
The idea of cutting is from sculpture about the woman hold there belly and look at the babies, that makes me feel powerful and magical. On the other hand, I chose the color of sunset to be my main color for my project, due to the warming feeling I got from it.
Based on the image and sculpture featuring pregnant women, I developed this remarkable look for my graduate collection. Following the original idea, I emphasized hand cutting and body shapes, especially the buttock size. During the model-making process, the shapes were neat and clean. However, when I began using real leather for my designs, I overlooked the characteristics of leather. As a result, the initial look appeared flat, as leather lacks elasticity, causing the shape to change and become unappealing and ill-fitting. The connection between hand- cutting and body shape restricted movement and proper modeling. Even when I attempted to shape a styrofoam model, it proved ineffective.
Finally, I identified a sizing issue with the front side. I added a leather piece to increase the width, but the overall length remained too short. Consequently, the runway presentation showcased an unperfected look.
Look2 - Birth
Inspired by the imminent process of childbirth and the symbolism of the uterus!
For Look2, it portrays the process of women giving birth – encompassing exhaustion, intense pain, and eventual relaxation. Initially, the design was inspired by the imagery of women giving birth while standing, emphasizing the exertion of their bodies. However, upon completing the look, both of my design tutor and I found it unusual. The finished piece appeared more akin to a Muppet costume rather than conveying the experience of childbirth. Therefore, we deliberated on how to rectify this issue. During this contemplation, a remarkable idea struck me. I proposed reversing the entire look to transform it into a dress. This adaptation not only enhanced the visual appeal but also effectively conveyed the journey of women through the birthing process. In this configuration, the dress would evoke the vulnerability of women who have undergone childbirth, with their bodies exposed and exhibiting a natural softness.
Look3 - Being Mother
This look inspired by saint and breast-feeding, after birth a baby, the woman needs to spend a lot of time take care of herself and the baby, more inpartantly. From woman to a mother.