Humans are constantly given opportunities to make choices, some being made within seconds while others are devised over time. For this collection I focused on the polarizing outcomes of decision-making. When faced with adversity we can choose to be either apathetic or proactive.

To begin exploring these two behaviors I researched groups of people with each quality. I explored the behavior and style of dress of midcentury military personnel and civil rights activists; both being established groups of individuals who made the decision to make their best efforts towards positive change. From there I studied Western fashion in the 1960’s, pulling inspiration from the psychedelic attitude of the time, the curvilinear seams and hems, and the boyish silhouettes. I then examined the world or apathy. I researched famous psychological studies on the “bystander effect” and diffusion of responsibility, as well as the Kitty Genovese case, which inspired my fabric exploration.

While designing I tampered with originally utilitarian garments that then became unpractical, null and void due to my fabric choice or missing pieces of the garment. This idea is much like the bystander that sees trouble yet choices, whether consciously or not, to stay uninvolved and ultimately useless.  I also looked to different art forms that explored the psychology behind passive and conformist human behavior. My final line up aims to express the dystopian reality of strength and weakness, aggression and passiveness, and ultimately apathy and proactivity.