Nostalgia for Pain
Studio- Capsule Collection for Gucci
Atelier- Silhouette Experimentation
The Age of Innocence
TheAge of Innocence
Amsterdam Fashion Institute
Semester 6, Spring 2024
(current project)
Collections, Tailoring
Specialisation
This semester I am creating a collection and realising three full looks. The concept and research are personal but should incorporate inspiration from Vivienne Westwood.
Press Release
“Could I get two kilograms of oranges, please?”
“Yes, of course, here you go,” I said as I placed the imaginary oranges in an imaginary basket. “
My granny laughed loudly, not able to stay within her role anymore.
I remember this moment as if it happened yesterday: the checked linen dress I was wearing, and the hair braided by my grandmother.
Looking at myself now, I don’t see those braids and checks anymore, yet I still recognize myself in that little girl’s play pretend.
As children, we eagerly anticipate the arrival of adulthood, while as adults, we find ourselves longing for the innocence and simplicity of childhood. We remember childhood as a carefree period full of magical rituals and warm embraces. The reality of adulthood stands in stark contrast to childhood ideas of what it means to be an adult. In my childhood imagination, I was the one who decided when I would play an adult role. Now when the role is my reality, not a play anymore, I am not ready for it.
For a long time, I didn’t know when it happened. Investigating my memories, I realized, or even decided, that for me being an adult means control, and feeling empowered. During childhood, all aspects of our lives are controlled by our caregivers. In my case, my physical appearance, especially my beautiful braids, fell into that. As such, cutting them off felt especially liberating and momentous; now seen as a transition signifier.
By using unexpected material combinations like latex and wool to redefine modern adulthood, “The Age of Innocence” challenges traditional boundaries in the same way as Vivienne Westwood did in the 1970s when she made designs and bold statements for those who felt unnoticeable.
My collection inspired by childhood memories and reflections on my independent life, explores the dualities of comfort and liberation through fashion. In my collection, I take full control of the transition between childhood and adolescence, deciding when and how it happens. I’m contrasting materials such as wool, associated with comfort and safety from childhood with latex, symbolizing liberation and struggles of adulthood.