"multi-faceted concept that transcends time and cultures"
What has always fascinated me is the concept of "Femininity" and how each culture and time eras has defined it. From Greco-Roman drapery to traditional Indian dress to Mexican ruffles, I have found many distinct, yet similar features that transcends both culture and time. With that being said, this collection explores the concept of "femininity" in those aspects, taking inspiration from many different cultures and time period pieces and merging them into a cohesive set of ensembles.
**ALL PHOTOS AND DESIGNS ARE OWNED BY CLAIRE HUANG.
PLAGIARISM/STEALING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.**
research and process
While researching fashion of different cultures and different time periods, I found myself drawn to techniques such as draping and embellishments. To start, I researched Greco-Roman Fashion and how many different ways to manipulate the drapery of a piece of fabric. Then my mind suddenly jumped into Indian Fashion, how the Sari is wrapped around the body, from the shoulder to the hips, and back over to their head.
Traveling back to Europe, I started to explore the Victorian era and their notorious usage of the corset. Shortly after, I was researching different types of brassiere, their evolution, and how men have worn them. I looked into different types of corsets and found the Dinka tribe beaded corset so interesting. Rather than constricting the body as a regular corset does, the Dinka beaded corset sits and drapes down naturally, shaping one’s curves as the beads cascade down. Going back to the Victorian era, I noticed how many different types of ruffles were incorporated; then, my mind then jumped to Mexican traditional dresses, which consist of flatter, yet fuller and circular than your typical ruffle. With each culture and time period I researched, my mind would think of another one, making research a breeze and broadening my inspiration.
After all of my research, I realized that all of the material that interested me the most all related to femininity: the corset that gives a woman her tiny waist, the ruffles that give her full skirt, and the fabrics that decorated her. Therefore, my collection is a blend of how different cultures define femininity historically and so differently. For my designs, I kept the silhouettes primarily Victorian with blends of Greco-Roman, Indian, and or Mexican, implemented at least one ruffle element, used fabrics that were more feminine with Mexican fabrics, implemented elements of the corset and brassiere, and tastefully added embroidery and beading.
Greco-Roman and Indian
Corset and Brassieres
Victorian and Mexican
African Beading
Swatches
Draping 1
Draping 2
Draping 3
Fabric manipulations
Prelim Sketches 1
Prelim Sketches 2
Final Designs
Flats
