‘The Lineage of Constriction’ (the brutality of feminine beauty standards)
This piece is a pair of 18th century half boned stays with a 21st century twist. Inspired the evolution of female beauty standards whilst reflecting their consistency at their core for hundreds of years. The basic structure is taken from traditional 18th century pair of stays, the embellishments along the boning channels are representative of surgical incisions. To reflect the different approaches of achieving the beauty standards in the past and present. Through my examining the evolution of the feminine beauty standards. I discovered that what has remained through centuries is the desire for an hourglass figure (informed by primal indications of fertility), while the methods of achieving this have drastically changed. From using boned structured shape wear to alter one’s silhouette, to permanently making alterations to one’s appearance through cosmetic surgical operations. This piece intends to encapsulate both, through visceral depiction of the dire lengths that are gone to in order to fit the ‘standard of beauty’.
I created this piece as part of my Extended Project Qualification and then had the opportunity to exhibit it in the @thehouseofsmalls gallery in August this year. As a part of their ‘We Are The Witches II, We Are Hear’ exhibition for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Here I was fortunate enough to have this piece displayed alongside 70 other female textile artists.
#stays #pairofstairs #18thcenturystays #18thcenturycostume #18thcenturyfashion #18thcenturyundergarments #18thcentury #historicaldress #historicalcostume #historicalfashion #historicaldressmaking #costumemaker #costumedesign #modernstays #corset #textile #textiledesign #textilefashion #textilesculpture #patterndrafting #beauty #beautystandards #modernart #sewing #sewistsofinstagram #sew #embroidery #applique #reverseapplique
This halter top was made from old ties given to me by my grandad with the purpose of recycling and giving new life to an old accessory!
#upcycle #upcyclefashion #upcycleclothing #ties #tieupcycling #upcycletop #sewing #sewingproject #fashion #makeyourownwardrobe #haltertop #sew #textilefashion #handmade #clothing #diyclothing #diy #costumedesign #sewistofinstagram
Inspired by the @moulinmusicaluk I made this boned bodice using black and tartan lawn cotton with lace trim. Influenced by the structured bodices and colour pallet showcased in the musical. #moulinrouge #moulinrougemusical #corsettop #bonedbodice #sewingcommunity #sewing #sewistofinstagram #sewwithme #sewingproject #fashion #makeyourownwardrobe #tartan #bustier #selfdraftedpattern #selfdrafted #corset #handmade #fashion #costume #costumedesign #musical #musicaltheatre #performancedesigns #theatre #theatredesign
I wanted to create a dress for the summer that allowed me to practice a variety of skills. So I designed, patterned and constructed this sundress, using the technique shirring for the first time to create a cinched waistband. It was an enjoyable process to be able to make a dress to my exact style preference.
#sundress #sewing #sewingproject #madebyme #sewistofinstagram #summeroutfits #makeyourownwardrobe #dressmaking #fashion #floraldress #dressmaking #handmade #shirring #shirreddress #DIY #patternmaking #fashiongram #fashiondesign #costumedesign #artist #summerartproject #sew #floralfabric #minidress #patterndrafting #summerfits #artprojects
