DESIGN NAME: Fatopia - The Celebration of Flesh
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Size Inclusive Fashion
INSPIRATION: 2.1 billion people in this world, 30% of world population, are overweight. In US, 67% are beyond size 16, however, our society is fat phobic and discriminates people by their size. Based on my research, working with 10 participants, including myself, we translated key elements into fashion and addressed the gaps in the plus size market from a design point of view to show that We can all be fashionable. My goal is to empower everybody to love their bodies and take a stand against fat stigma.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: This is bringing body positivity and body inclusivity into fashion. Through this collection, we are redefining the concept of fat. This word is not an insult, it is just an adjective that means you have more tissues in your body. However, our society is fat phobic and discriminates people by their sizes. We need to remove the stigma and accept it just as it is. To achieve that, from my perspective, I am unapologetically designing fashion for fat bodies and every body, and ultimately providing choices that we are missing right now.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: Based on the research, working with ten participants, including myself, we shared our stories about how society limits the diversity of different body images, how our bodies are treated and how our bodies form. By sharing our insecurities, we eventually felt that those insecurities are not insecure anymore. This is the way how this collection interacts with audience. Being not afraid of sharing and being shared.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in September 2017 in New York City and finished in May 2018 in New York City, and was launched during New York Fashion Week S/S 19.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Fashion, Apparel and Garment Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: I explored digital fabric prints. All the patterns are created based on our bodies and I printed them on different fabric weight such as silk duchess here, organza, and silk twill. Also I used laser cutting techniques on this leather jacket and the top that Morgan is wearing, to add more diversity. When it comes to certain sizes, designers limit their creativity and exploration. However, I'm exploring new shapes, techniques and textiles to broaden fashion's perspective toward every size.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: This collection is created in size 6 and size 18
TAGS: Size Inclusive, Body Positive, Body Activism, Plus Size, Fashion Freedom, Body Diversity
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: I've been working with 10 participants, including myself, we translated key elements into fashion and addressed the gaps in fashion industry. We shared our stories about body insecurities, how the society views body images. Furthermore, we explored how our body shapes and forms. This process eventually allowed us to feel more comfortable and overcome our body insecurities. Also, we translated this process into design process such as silhouettes, color palettes, textile choices, fabric prints and etc.
CHALLENGE: Since I created body positive and size inclusive fashion, I have been getting a lot of negative comments lately. Gross, good luck with diabetes, that gal is ugly and etc. Most of the comments are from youngsters, so we now know that we need to show variety of body images and role models for our children to enlighten them. Also, many skeptical perspectives from fashion industry people who strongly believe that fashion is privileged to certain sizes. It is not true. Everybody deserves equal fashion opportunities no matter what size and body they' are in. I will not stop breaking this prejudice in fashion industry.
ADDED DATE: 2018-09-16 00:09:30
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #1: Photographer Yuti Chang, FATOPIA, 2018
Image #2: Photographer Yuti Chang, FATOPIA, 2018
Image #3: Photographer Yuti Chang, FATOPIA, 2018
Image #4: Photographer Yuti Chang, FATOPIA, 2018
Image #5: Photographer Yuti Chang, FATOPIA, 2018
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