Page 20 - Portfolio

RATIONALE

Being part machine, the cyborg represents the standards women are expected to conform to in this

patriarchal society, taking away their freedom and individuality. Forced to conform to the same standards,

each woman becomes a clone of the next. On the other hand, this very quality that allows the cyborg to be

controlled is in fact its strength, if only it can realise it. It can use its technology to free itself from its chains, or

even rule over its ‘controllers’. The collection calls on women to realise their strength, stand up, and fight for

their rights.

The collection is all white, giving it a more futuristic, clean feel. It also emphasizes the idea of a machine and

cloning/uniformity. Sticking to one colour also helps us pay more attention to the different fabrics and textures.

The fabrics consist of cotton, scuba, jersey knit in contrast with fabrics with shinier surfaces such as pleather and

satin, communicating further the idea of human versus machine. Textures include quilting of geometric shapes to

emphasize ‘constructedness’, protruding geometric shapes to give a more ‘robotic’ look and layered laser cut

panels emulating the shape of a cyborg’s spine. Overall the textures are very futuristic. The silhouettes of the

garments range from a close form fit to the female body, to a less fitting more rigid structure that conceals the

body, with some fluid/flowy shapes in between, referencing the human/machine hybrid nature of the cyborg.

Some shapes are more exaggerated, such as a large protruding fin, or exaggerated draping details, to

emphasize the ‘unnaturalness’ of this creature, that is also a walking weapon in itself. Greater proportion is

given to the top half of the body, to give a more muscular, powerful feel and to emulate body armour. The

look is finished off with clean detailing and finishes to further emphasize the futuristic elements of the theme.

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