Attraction to how clothing lays and falls over every curve of the female frame, creating body-scapes through fabric manipulation, this collection is inspired by the natural landscapes of South America and its inhabitants. The varying subtropic terrain of South America are abundant with plant and animal life. One animal in particular has adapted to its surroundings and predators by developing a supple armor made of bone. This collection explores biomimicry of the natural world through fabric manipulations with a focus on “the little armored one,” the armadillo. I was drawn to the idea of creating a collection that balances the use of technology and hand crafted eco-conscious materials to develop form and function in high quality hand made fabrics in practical silhouettes much like the armadillos exterior.
The protective bony plates that encase the armadillo’s bodies inspired a new print and texture for the collections fabrics that are outside of the typical fashion animal print. Various gauge yarns were hand knit to mimic the rocky landscapes and bumpy skin of the armadillo. The sculpted quality of wovens create a landscape resembling the color palette of the temperate terrain of which they were inspired by such as warm earth tones of golden yellows, green grasses and mineral rich red rocks.
Our clothing is more than a protective shell, they are an extension of us. It is our own intelligent design, complimenting and contrasting that of nature's own. For me, it is imperative to design garments with original textiles, that are unique and modern statements for women who want to express themselves.
