«From Caricature to Form”—an experimental clothing project drawing on the visual techniques of 19th–early 20th-century French caricature. The project centers on a woman striving to conform to shifting ideals of attractiveness. The protagonist seems to pin herself into an uncomfortable posture, convinced that the resulting silhouette is beautiful.
A caricature is an image of a person, a societal archetype, or a situation in which characteristic features are intentionally exaggerated or distorted. While maintaining the recognizable form, the artist uses it for satire, criticism, or to draw attention to a specific phenomenon. Furthermore, a caricature does not necessarily have to be humorous. In 19th-century France, caricature gained wide popularity in satirical press, addressing political events, social mores, and fashion. The meaning of the image was often revealed through a caption or the historical context of its publication.
SHAPE RESEARCH
A woman pursuing an ideal fixes herself in an awkward posture because she believes it is beautiful.
Photodocumentation of the experiment. Altering the body position and attachment points allowed observation of folds and volume displacement.
SKETCHES
JEWELRY
JACKET
For further development in the «Fashion Factory» program, a jacket with a raised shoulder, a shifted volume, and visible fastening points was selected. Its silhouette evolves from an experiment with clothing against a wall.
TECHNICAL SKETCH
Materials and Hardware
During the selection phase, we consider charcoal plaid suit fabric, lining, and shoulder and collar reinforcements. For visible fasteners, metal and safety tips are being considered. The composition, density, attachment method, and specific hardware will be finalized after prototyping.
