Garment Inspirations- Danova

Bubble Dress by Hussein Chalayan
Glass bubble dress by Idris Van Herpen
Rubber bubbles by Fredrik Tjaerandsen

All of these works transform the bodies theyre on in so many visually interesting ways, using materials that are not common in everyday clothing. Garment-based work that has inspired me recently involves any unconventional use of spheres, use of strange fabrics-especially plastics- and any wearable art that reminds me of orbs or bubbles. I have become very interested in the idea of soap bubbles, how they have so much conceptual meaning about human fragility and their weird tangibility. In these garments, the bubbles and the plastics do not just fit to the body, they roll around on and around it in many visually interesting ways, or they expand and constrict on it. Kinetic garments and those that can be incorporated into performances or video are some of my favourite pieces to see and work with. Being able to explore unconventional materials and find ways to make them interact with the body in unexpected ways is something I particularly enjoy. These works also feel very fantastical and modern, but the elements of confinement to the hard plastic and restrictive rubber definitely felt like a poignant comment on how we accessorize in our current climate.

I especially felt drawn to the choice of materials in these works- they are unconventional and confining in different ways. Specifically, how the works shown above use plastic-like materials to create high-fashion garments worn on the body, because nowadays it feels as though we are constantly surrounded by plastic casings and many types of shields. The materials do not look particularly comfortable to wear and have different types of translucency I find really interesting. I think that this idea of modern style outfits, that may have technology or other kinetic functions built into them, being very uncomfortable and not particularly functional as modesty-coverings is funny and absurd. I enjoy how these garments all have an air of whimsicality and sensuality-I feel like I’m able to imagine how these materials would feel if I could touch them and there is joy in the experience of these garments.