Breaking Free

Wow, so I haven't blogged for over a month. I have an excuse though!. In the last month I had 2 projects due - one with so many parts that it felt like 4 assignments. Glad that one's over, but now I have a similarly tedious project due this Friday. So I really shouldn't be here .. blogging .. A break feels deserved though, so here I am.



One assignment I had due after my last post was for Studio 4. The brief of the project was to create a visual story telling piece that was wearable.

This wearable piece carries the story of a personal journey through deciding future paths. Reflecting upon parental expectations and restrictions.

This piece has three major components—the harness, shoulders and wings.

• The harness reflects the constraint and restrictions. I had importantly used leather as it is a material that cannot stretch as easily and is hard to move in. I made the form rather square and straight to reflect the logic and bluntness of maths - the course I was undertaking before changing to design.
• The shoulders are also made of leather but are embellished with chains and spikes. These were to add on weight on to the shoulders expressing the burden put upon my shoulders. The embellishments also give the piece a "rebel" look (quoted from my classmates). The shoulders are especially designed to restrict movement of lifting the arms (restrict breaking free).
• The wings—as white, highly contrasted with the black leather—reflect freedom. The harness is designed over the torso and arms, so when the arm is lifted, it breaks the pattern of the straight lines and reveals the wings. The important feature in this is the movement of the arms—from the constricted straight arms to free limbs. The wings are made by loose white chiffon—white to show purity and freedom—almost like a blank canvas. It is loose instead of tight for a more flowy free effect. The wings also have a small detail at the bottom—metal leaves. Leaves to symbolize further growth and life.

 As suggested by a friend, I may make a video showing the movement of the piece in a more detailed way. Stay tuned for that!