CONTEXT

At the core of this project is the concern for care. Mental and physical wellbeing are interconnected and co-dependent as “certain social, environmental and lifestyle factors can promote systemic chronic inflammation” (Furman, D., et al. 2019). How we manage our stress correlates to our overall health. Therefore, tackling stress is a crucial starting point. This project demonstrates how this can be achieved through clothes.

From a designer’s perspective it is highly desirable to shift the negative connotations of the clothing industry into a positive domain. Fashion is linked with detrimental impacts on a mass scale affecting the environment, manufacturers and the consumer. This project seeks a new paradigm where the role of the garments is a new tool, encasing a new concept and reshaping what clothes mean and can do.

Mental wellbeing has long been an aloof subject – stigmas and label attachments have created an otherness that can be difficult to recognise as well as share. According to The Guardian, prior to the outbreak of Covid-19:

“an estimated five in every 100 people in England were experiencing regular or uncontrollable worries about multiple things in their lives – a condition known as generalised anxiety disorder”

These figures increased by 31% percent in March 2020 as a consequence of social isolation and uncertainty about the future. According to a recent study lead by Dr Gemma Taylor these challenges “cannot be undone overnight”. Therefore, there is space to explore methods of therapy that will influence these challenges.

15

The pandemic demonstrated a direct sabotage of our lifestyle, freedom and relationships. It put pressure on our human connections: over a fifth of adults (22%) experienced a complete breakdown of a relationship (including partner, family, friend, colleagues or neighbours). This impact supports the view that our fragility corresponds to our perception of the world around us.

We have however lived in a building state of mental unrest with the abundance of constant technoferance (Wilson, K. 2019) – a lower the quality of your interaction when devices are present or in sight.

The prevalence of smart phones impact large proportions of youth populations. Heavy smartphone use and media multitasking result in “chronic sleep deprivation, negative cognitive control, academic performances and socioemotional functioning” . This amounts a high cause for concern as our generations grow, a reason to assemble new modes of interaction. (McDaniel, B.T. and Drouin, M., 2019.)

With many negative connotations of social media, the main notion for its use is the multiple connections one can make which simply highlights our craving as creatures for connection with others.

“Humans genetically inherit a strong impulse to connect with people predominantly to share their emotions.” (Graciyal, D.G. and Viswam, D. (2021)

Scientists have concluded that dopamine creates pleasure, is addictive and experienced alone, whereas serotonin causes happiness, is non-addictive and can be shared. (Graciyal, D.G. and Viswam, D. 2021). The popularity of social media is merely an instinctive reaction to our natural pursuit to share and experience community.

16

“We are social creatures so we share the emotions of others” (Zak, P. 2011)

The rise of social media and self projection has flattered the outward perception of self by motivated “tendency to compare with fellow human beings” (Graciyal, D.G. and Viswam, D. 2021). This correlates to a boom in the self-care industry which in 2019 was estimated to be worth a $11 billion. (Arboine, N. 2019)

However, the current trend of being “booked and busy” is another layer to the pressure to perform as it signifies success and status among milliennials. To demonstrate our resilience, many businesses call on their employees to “expand their abilities and improve performance”. Meeting such demands such as being socially and professionally accessible 24/7 contributes to this generation’s burnout culture.

CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) is one of the most accessible forms of therapy whereby mindfulness techniques are crucially introduced. Many symptoms of depression for example, conclude that we are not present in our surroundings but rather, consistently taken over by negative and troubling thoughts. Mindfulness techniques engage us with our surroundings. This can be done in several ways – there is not a particular format. The predominant methods require breathing techniques. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, observing our senses and repeating these techniques bring an immediate awareness to our bodies. Knowing we are breathing, recognising the senses, rhythm and sensations created and experienced by our bodies anchor our perception. Therefore ongoing practices strengthen this awareness and our ability to prevent our thoughts from wandering or becoming troubling. Mindfulness brings a distinct satisfaction and increases appreciation for our existence.

According to Thich Nhaht Han, “the energy of mindfulness is the energy

17

that can bring about the energy of concentration”

When considering the approaches to healing our distresses, it makes sense to build on the natural phenomena and functions inside the body in order to recognise patterns and make changes to our behaviour. Cosmic Armour is motivated by this thinking and to highlight the importance of learning more from our own bodies – not to look or compare to others and not to adhere to synthetic or temporary approaches. The consideration of body and awareness is paramount to this project as it aims to promote the body as a unique phenomenon which continues to surprise us. The more in touch we are with our bodies, the more we can appreciate the world. Hence Cosmic in the name that kindles the mysteriousness of our existence. Many of the pressures we face are in response to redundant belief systems or restricted mental constructs. Cosmic Armour is the protection we can seek inside ourselves and outward in a reciprocated breath, recognising our oneness with the universe.

According to Dr. Meghan Sultana, “Both acupuncture and meditation work on the parasympathetic nervous system and toning of the vagus nerve for example can be achieved in both practices” (The Vagus nerve connects the brain to the rest of the body). The project therefore progresses to focus more acutely on acupuncture due to the detailed focus on the body.

The documentary Who Am I? follows Dr Ming Jie Wu a dedicated TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practitioner. In TCM health is achieved by balance and harmony of mind, body, spirit. It is an interconnected and interdependent relationship based on yin yang. The practice works on the principles of finding root causes, blockages and energy imbalances. Pressure points are all over the body and tend to be found where a number of different nerve endings meet. Pressing the points can relieve symptoms of mental and physical ailments – from diabetes to cancer and arthritis to depression. Dr Wu describes how symptoms are the results of an over-

19

working or deficient production in the body.

Where fashion has harnessed many definitions regarding the human zeitgeist, an industry integrating creativity, techno-industrial manufacturing, image projection of conscious and subconscious participation, it must have the capacity to support therapy methods. Cosmic Armour is represents a positive role for the future. As Radio Ballads considers art practices as key to support systemic transformation, Cosmic Armour seeks a new paradigm where clothes map and integrate proven techniques to create engagement with long term support.

20