EXQUISITE CREATURES
‘We live only to discover beauty. All else is a form of waiting.’ Kahil Gibson
My MA collection at Central Saint Martins called ‘Exquisite Creatures’ explores a personally developed fashion collection, based on exquisite creatures of the animal kingdom, the moths. This manifest in elaborate evening gowns embedded in bold prints, heavy textiles, and embroideries. The inspiration from pure symbology of the moths, as the seekers of light in the dark, is incorporated with elements of glamour from old Hollywood starlet, as well as referencing some of the early work of Roy Halston, Madame Gres, Valentina, Madeleine Vionette and Issey Miyake which builds the core of the collection. The evening gowns are shown on men, and with exposing their chests and nipples, it reveals the vulnerability and fragility of not just men, but us humans.
'Exquisite Creatures' carry a story of the Golden Boy who, through limitations, found his way to brilliant creativity. In the collection, I've combined delicate silk fabrics with recycled vintage curtains onto which I've sublimated my prints. Together with remnants of faux fur, and faux pearls dipped in gold, recycled jewelry, and discarded fabric remnants from Jimmy Choo's, I've created a sense of layering, intertwining textures, motifs, and colours. The glamorous dresses are then complemented with vintage military boots, inspired by Ivan Cankar's story known as "Greh" (The Sin). By merging a dynamic mix of contrasts, opulent fantasy, and my humble beginnings, I’ve placed elements of fantasy and glamour into a new, more contemporary, and genuinely more sincere perspective.
With "unconventional" approach to couture, I aimed to showcase that perfection is no longer the sole objective, as beauty can also be found in imperfection. This signifies that luxury is no longer solely measured by precious materials, but by honesty and the expression of identity. With this the collection invites the public to refute the social norms of dressing up according to age, sex, and cultural background and reminds us that we can all feel exquisite about ourselves. It aspires others to embrace their vulnerability and celebrate their true indentities.
Thank you Fabio Piras, Fleet Bigwood, Julie Verhoven and Sarah Lawrence for mentorship in 2023, Mohamed Ali for photographs, Cassiopea, Neil and Dominic for modeling.