GRACE HUGHSON

This project was designed as a representation of how costuming can facilitate a transformation which both conceals and reveals elements of our identity in order to suit our changing environments 

 

 

 

The starting point of the transformation in entitled ’Shell’ because I feel that it reflects how it is a defence mechanism; to hide beneath a visage while braving the outside world. The silver rivets along the shoulder and side-seams are a reference to armour, as are the strong lines of the blouse’s pleats. The garment pushes out and creates space between itself and the body. This creates a ‘larger-than-life’ effect and also acts as a barrier to anyone wishing to get too close to the person inside. 

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As much as the internal, dishevelled dress is a representation of falling and the state of a torn mind, there is also a sense of being relaxed and content in the understanding that you are no longer hiding inside of yourself. It would have been easy to use this layer to disfigure the body and make it look twisted. However, I didn’t want it to come across as if the whole transformation was a bad thing, simply a part of who this woman is. A point further emphasised by the fact that the transformation can occur in the opposite direction, it just takes a little longer and required additional assistance.