This was a project for my final assignment for my Reconstruction/Reinvention subject for Collarts as a first-year student. This assignment involved the deconstruction and reconstruction of a pre-existing blazer and suit pants with little to no waste.

This project also had to be designed in line with the social and environment-driven organisation Thread Together who keep clothes in circulation by collecting end-of-line brand new stock from fashion retailers across Australia and are given to people in need so that they can have essential clothing.

After volunteering at their clothing hub in Fitzroy being the most left-wing suburbs in Melbourne, I decided to design with inclusivity and absence of gender in mind.

I also thought it would be validating for someone to see a piece of clothing they relate to with all the messages I stitched onto the garments They might find comfort because it may relate to their history and past.

The concept development for this project was to create a social commentary garment that represents the general feelings of the pain and struggle of feeling like a “societal defect” yet the immense strength it takes to live authentically in an unaccepting and unfair society. I wanted to create a garment that was socially challenging, something designed to make the “norm” uncomfortable.

I was heavily inspired by historical civil rights movements that required public anger and systemic resistance that ultimately brought progressive societal change. I was also inspired by Vivianne Westwood's norm-defying designs which are intentionally challenging and abrasive that comment on conservative ideals and their lack of social progress.