concept statement

Plasticity explores our relationship with the man-made substance that was once strongly associated with progress and is now held responsible for major environmental damage. Transparent plastics have often been used in fashion to communicate futurism (Borelli-Persson 2019), ironic considering the future of plastics is in doubt. In nature, plasticity describes how organisms have the ability to adapt, changing their form and function (Skipper et al 2010), to fit into a harsh and challenging world. This collection reflects on the idea that while manmade development and progress is exciting, it comes at a cost and is creating overwhelming challenges, particularly in the form of climate change. Just like insects that have adapted of hundreds of thousands of years to changing elements, it is essential that we learn to adjust to new conditions in order to survive and likewise, the use of plastics also needs to adapt and change as we move forwards. With more than 50% of textiles containing some form of plastic, the urgent search is on for a more sustainable way to clothe the world (Usborne 2019). Plasticity explores the use of recycled and repurposed plastics to create beautiful feminine garments, as well as the use of bioplastics, as a way of redefining the use of plastics within the modern world.

The Plasticity collection acknowledges that change can be difficult and in order to move forward with hope and harmony, things that are important to us, such as warmth, joy, knowledge, treasures from our past, and freedom, remain a part of our progress. Plasticity embraces a balance between fluidity, movement and freedom with an underlying structure, rigidity and constraint which provides protection and an essential foundation for expression, adaptability and evolution, allowing the future to become filled with possibilities.

Change requires bravery, strength of character, innovation, and dreams of something better or new and the Plasticity collection represents this for the modern, daring, risk taker. The use of innovative techniques and recycled plastic create structured bodices and protective shells, unique textures and opportunities for reflective light. Despite being manmade, the pieces reflect the beauty of nature and create a sense of flow or movement bringing life to the collection. The shimmery light reflecting off plastic that represents running water, creating a sense of fluidity and freedom is juxtaposed against structured lines and a sense of underlying strength. Effortless elegance and beauty underpinned by stability and structure is reflective of classical dancers that mould and reshape themselves constantly as a way to express themselves to their audience. In the Plasticity collection, excitement is created by similar contrasts, where natural meets manmade, structure meets free flowing, hard meets soft and movement meets stability.

Plasticity provides an opportunity to break free from constraints, it is a way to push boundaries and strive for something better. Organic elements that reflect the natural environment, created out of structured manmade elements, represent a sense of resilience and survival. Panels of ruffles and textures create a sense of movement that contrasts with the unyielding stability of solid panels in heavier, more structured materials such as plastic and stiffened fabrics, which provide a sense of protection and overall, a futuristic sense of beauty and wonder.