Blog 5: Kate Troedsson + Lindsay Fung

Wabi Sabi | Japanese – Much has been written on this Japanese concept, but in a sentence, one might be able to understand it as “a way of living that focuses on finding beauty within the imperfections of life and accepting peacefully the natural cycle of growth and decay.”

Concept: Use traditional Japanese motifs (kimono, cherry blossoms, red, gold, black) and distress the dress  purposely so that it evokes a sense of "decay" Making it imperfect but still beautiful. 

Materials: For the top half we were thinking of using an off white cotton fabric with screen printed type. The bottom of the dress would be tulle, possibly red, that is bleached to add to the "decay" aspect of the dress. Paper or fabric flowers would be added to the neckline, probably representing that of cherry blossom and it's symbolism of its fleeting and short lifespan. 

 L'appel Du Vide | French – “The call of the void” is this French expression’s literal translation, but more significantly it’s used to describe the instinctive urge to jump from high places.

Concept: Create a dramatic sense height through the use of a long-flowing train. Also, to emphasize the idea of jumping from high places, use paper airplanes, as well as an element of texture. Manipulate the typography to help with the idea of height as well. 


Materials: The dress itself would be made out of a thick, possibly heavy material because the paper airplanes will be applied to it. The skirt will be made out either a lightweight fabric that is opaque or a sheer chiffon color and stenciled on to create the typography. 

Toska | Russian – Vladmir Nabokov describes it best: “No single word in English renders all the shades of toska. At its deepest and most painful, it is a sensation of great spiritual anguish, often without any specific cause. At less morbid levels it is a dull ache of the soul, a longing with nothing to long for, a sick pining, a vague restlessness, mental throes, yearning. In particular cases it may be the desire for somebody of something specific, nostalgia, love-sickness. At the lowest level it grades into ennui, boredom.”

Concept: Use 3-D typographic letters modeled after Russian Constructivism with a mermaid silhouette to give the feel that the letters themselves are weighing the model down due to the morbid and painful nature of this word. Also using colors inspired by Russian Constructivism. 

Materials: Make the type out of styrofoam or another lightweight material. The rest of the dress would maybe be made out of velvet in combination with a sheer fabric.