Reflections of Reality- Senior Thesis Project

The way we grow up and interact with the world is a different experience for everyone. For this collection, I am taking inspiration from my own reality, reflecting on my experiences with nature, relationships, and monumental events that have shaped the person I am today. This collection aims to harmonize the organic beauty of the natural world with the practical elements of everyday life. I will represent the ideas of masculinity vs. femininity, identity/persona, and human vs nature through proportion, texture, and color.

Ideation

The Ideation process began with the concept of reality. The concept of "reality" refers to “the state of things as they actually exist, independent of perception or interpretation, encompassing both the physical and abstract realms.” Reality is a concept that varies with context and culture. I focused on Subjective reality, which is an individual's unique experience and interpretation of reality.

Considering my own reality, I focused on events in my life and how they have shaped me into who I am today. These events are particularly from childhood, including playing sports, camping, fishing, and my passion for art. As a child, I was considered a tomboy due to my style and passion for things that were typically considered for boys. However, I also had a love for things typically considered for girls, such as art, playing with dolls, and beauty. From this, I wanted to focus on the concepts of Masculinity vs. Femininity, Identity/Persona, and Human vs. Nature in my collection.

Research

Reflecting on my reality and what Is important to me, I wanted to look into knitwear and streetwear.

I began researching Knitwear and its importance now. I learned how people are looking for comfort, especially after covid, in their environments and in their everyday lives. Adding texture allows for more to engage in their surroundings, and knitwear does a great job of this.

When researching streetwear, I learned how oversized dressing is very popular, and will continue to be. Relating back to knitwear, people are looking for comfort. Streetwear adds a bit of flare and style to an oversized look.

When engaging in trend research, I considered these two aspects.

Materials

In this collection, I will be using a combination of soft and structured materials such as knits, denim, and silk.

The combination of the soft and structured materials reflects the ideas of masculinity vs. femininity. Typically, something that is masculine may be considered tough, hard, and sturdy, while something that would be considered feminine may be considered soft, light, and airy.

Reflecting on the concept of human vs. nature, I wanted to show this through the material. The silk material I am using is naturally dyed with Rust. Rust-dyed fabric embodies the constant negotiation between human ingenuity, the limitations of our control, and the inescapable forces of nature. It asks questions about creation, impermanence, and the consequences of human interaction with the natural world.

Customer

The customer is a fashion-forward individual in their 20s to early 30s, living in major urban fashion hubs like New York, London, Berlin, or Tokyo. They work in the creative industry or have a strong online fashion presence, embracing an edgy, experimental, and modern style with a futuristic twist. They value sustainability, uniqueness, and self-expression. In a time marked by uncertainty and digital overload, this customer seeks authenticity, transformation, and deeper connection through fashion that acts as a wearable identity—balancing strength and softness, past and future.

Colors

In this collection, I wanted to use colors that are prevalent in nature. Such as Blues, Browns, Yellows, and Greens.

Ideation Sketches

Final Looks

Rust-Dyed Fabric Process

For the process of rust-dying the fabric, I first start by soaking the material in vinegar. I then laid out the fabric and began adding pieces of metal, such as nails and bolts, on top of the material. Next, I scrunched up the material with the nails inside and then tied it with twine. Afterward, I place the balled-up material back into vinegar for about 10 minutes. Once that is complete, I place the soaked material outside for 12-18 hours. This allows the metal pieces to rust, which creates the orange/yellow marks. Finally, once I neutralize the material in salt water, I add black tea, which turns the material a blue/gray color.

Machine Knit

A key component of this collection is the materiality, particularly the innovative knit design I developed using a knitting machine. I selected eight different yarns in varying colors and thicknesses to create rich texture and depth. The process began in DesignAknit, a digital program that enabled me to design and generate precise knitting instructions, allowing for intricate, customized patterns that bring a tactile, dimensional quality to the pieces.