'The Other', is a fashion garment created from reflective surfaces. The garment represents the physicalization of our human capacity for reflection, both as a physical experience, and as a psychological phenomenon we become a part of when we function within society as subordinates to the otherness of; society at large, the friends and family that surround us, and even as a solitary act. We are in a constant state of subjectivity and this unique design functions as a memorial to our humanity and the struggle we each face in becoming the people we are, without falling prey to the world of immediate experience. The lighting within the garment physically highlights this two-fold existence that we live; the surface and what is beneath, the seen and the perceived. Who we appear to be, and who we really are.
A pleating technique developed by Feyrouz Ashoura (samples done in paper)
Pleats with multple layers of reflective material
The overall design is a hybrid of translucent and opaque reflective foils bound to the surface of flexible material (vinyl/latex). This creates a cloak-like form constructed entirely out of flexible mirror, which is then moulded into a garment. The construction of the garment relies on a system of pleats. Each unit increases incrementally, creating a modular pattern from minuet pleats to larger pleats. With the system, a deconstruct of perception comes into play, both figuratively and literally. The creases and folds in the pleats allow for the mirrored reflection to distort in some way, only to remain precise in another, allowing for a play between the 'actual' self and 'distorted' self. The process of creation involves digital fabrication (laser cutting) pleats grids and then pleat them by hand. The pleating demands attention to detail, patience and knowledge of how to pleat (will be done by the artists, but the aid of design professionals), then the sculpting of the pleat embellishment is bound to the latex/reflective cloak.
Elevations of reflective garment
Lighting in garment from within will allow this proximity play between the viewer and the subject. The garment will be lit with a bed of light on the face of the subject inside the garment and an outer contour trace of the human form (highlight the human body) with IR sensory lights - meaning that the closer you get to the subject the dimmer the lights get. When the viewer is in close proximity the lights will turn off, only to reveal their
own reflection.
Light Plan with active sensors
Top view of light sensors
