Artist Statement

As a designer I am drawn to the subject of a women's identification and recognition by way of fashion. Women’s garments are typically associated with hyper-sexualized, or conservative sterotypes. My Senoir thesis series directly connects to the familiarity we have with sexual attraction ideals, and opinions on generalized femininity. 

My general approach to design is less overt but straightforward, not engaging in standard objectification. My work acts as an extension of one’s self-worth. I want my garments to be individualistic, holding a presence instead of presenting the body as the focal point. While in the process of creating, I focus on certain ideals of the industry in conjunction with societal norms of femininity. 

I work through a combination of manipulation techniques, pattern exploration and tailoring. When exploring techniques of pattern drafting a corset, I question the conventional norm of restricting and artificially enhancing the curves of the female form. For me, enhancing the “beauty” of the natural female form happens once the boning of the garment is extracted. Thus allowing the familiarity within the original seams of the garment, but removing it's “vital” components of restriction. In its place, is the forgiving nature of the textile, letting the body shape the garment instead of squeezing the many female forms into one consistent shape. My technique allows multiple forms to embrace their natural curves.