Absurdism

F/W 2024 Collection

design concept

The inspiration for this design stems from Albert Camus' philosophy of absurdism. This philosophy posits that human beings exist in a purposeless and chaotic universe. The Absurd refers to the inherent conflict between our tendency to seek meaning and value in life and our inability to find these with any certainty.

I found this concept fascinating and began reflecting on how often we become so engrossed in searching for life's meaning that we neglect to truly live. We frequently overlook the preciousness of human experience and connection. This reflection became the foundation for my design.

The core of this design is based on trypophobia, an irrational fear of small clusters of holes. This fear may stem from an instinctual response to patterns that often signify danger. This idea connected back to the philosophy of absurdism for me: those with trypophobia fear these patterns because they lack human qualities. When humanness is absent, fear often arises, mirroring many issues we face today. Ultimately, this collection serves as a commentary on the importance of human connection, illustrated through the lens of a phobia.

MoodBoard.

design process

For this design, I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone and experiment with areas of design that were completely new to me. Starting with the fabrication, the main bodysuit is made of a lightweight stretch mesh that was digitally printed. I also designed a custom knit that was produced on an industrial knitting machine. The yarns used in the knit consist of a blend of natural fibers and synthetic elastic fibers.

Delving deeper into the techniques, let's start with the bodysuit. As previously mentioned, the fabric was digitally printed. I took an image from my mood board, edited it into a seamless pattern using Photoshop, and then had it printed, resulting in the unique design on the garment.

To achieve the textured knit, I began with two rectangular sheets of knit, each approximately 60 inches long. I soaked them in water and then dried them on high heat to induce shrinkage. The blend of synthetic and natural fibers caused some parts of the design to scrunch up more than others, creating the distinctive texture featured on this piece.

During the construction process, I referenced a similar garment to obtain a pattern, which I then modified to achieve the perfect fit for the model. After cutting the sheets of knit fabric, I overlocked the edges and carefully hand-sewed them onto the main suit, ensuring that all edges were seamlessly hidden. The combination of these techniques allowed me to explore new creative avenues and produce a garment that embodies a blend of traditional and innovative design elements.