Morbid Curiosity
“Looking deeper and reflecting on our desire to understand the most grotesque and macabre facets of life as well as societies relationship with death in relation to the animalistic form.”
I’ve always been enamoured by societies response and interactions with the concept of the macabre; Society has always held an innate fascination with death and morbidity, and in this collection, I wanted to really explore what forms this grotesque curiosity has been displayed in throughout history. Also, it was important to me to look inward for this project and explore my own reaction and relationship with death and the macabre, as a means of better understanding these broad concepts.
A key motif emerging throughout this collection came in the form of dissection and the process of revealing and uncovering processes of death for aesthetic educational and survival purposes. Patch-worked fur, patterned panels and draping resembling the forms of the human body, as well as pleating techniques were all employed as a means of solidifying and exploring this idea of revealing, uncovering and dissecting the skin. Looking deeper and reflecting on our desire to understand the most grotesque and macabre facets of death.
Final Look
“Embracing humanities obsession with the grotesque, this piece aims to reflect the beauty in the macabre, the aesthetic potential of the undesirable and the innate intrigue of the human form from a societal perspective.”
Final Outcome: Blood Red Pleated top and skirt set.
Concept & Design Development
“Inspired by societies fascination with the macabre in the format of the grotesque, this project explores the forms and contours of animal and human bodies, using latex and pelts throughout the design process to obscure the form, creating an unsettling silhouette and utilising panelling as a means of exploring this morbid curiosity.”
Exploring the concept of the grotesque and role reversal within nature and humanities relationship with the macabre and display of death.
Utilising the theme of the grotesque and morbid fascination through padding and draping silhouettes as well as dismantling body structures and transparent panelling.
Exploring the use of fur throughout history, paneling and slashing the textile reflecting the severity and macabre nature of this societally established way of clothing oneself.
Translating the use of meat and fur as a means of expression within society. Reestablishing and highlighting the concepts innate grotesqueness, While still translating the beauty of the forms created through draped pelts.
Reversing the idea of fur and skin as the commodity and instead analysing muscle work and interior Bodies as a means of forming silhouette and structure.