Supporting my Master’s project, Interweaving Cross-Disciplinary Narratives in Fashion: Exploring the Integration of Fashion, Industrial Design, Identity, and Art Through Handbags, the exhibition Beyond Boundaries: Handbags as Narrative of Divergent Self and Identity embarks on an exploration of intertwining disciplines within the realm of fashion. Dedicated to storytelling, each handbag is a testament to my self-discovery and healing, divided into subcollections of three acts (setup, confrontation, and resolution) that support the narrative from beginning to end.
Influenced by my Industrial Design background, these handbags push the boundaries of traditional fashion, incorporating non-traditional materials such as Tyvek, zip ties, and silicone tubes alongside cutting-edge technology like 3D printing. The collection traverses through the stages of childhood innocence, the complexities of neurodivergence, the labyrinth of overthinking, the transformative journey of personal metamorphosis, and finally, the soothing balm of healing. This collection invites viewers to immerse themselves in a metaphorical voyage, where themes of self-worth, identity, and resilience are woven into every stitch and embellishment.
FIRST ACT
Introducing my background, the first act seeks to represent some of my childhood challenges visually. When trying to hide these aspects, I was actually harming myself.
The Best Little Boy, 2024
Tyvek, velvet, metal spikes, and 3D-printed ABS hardware
Delve into layers of self-worth and identity with The Best Little Boy handbag, weaving visual metaphors and symbolic elements. Using Tyvek to resemble a paper envelope, this design traces back to my childhood memories of playing with paper envelopes and attaching a metallic thread to the top, referring to a handbag. This design is influenced by the Best Little Boy in the World theory, which explores the phenomenon of overcompensation among young sexual minority men and Erving Goffman's backstage and frontstage notions (1959). Connecting it to the handbag realm and contingent self-worth, I used metal spikes on the inner side to visually explore my journey of protecting myself from societal repressions. This piece invites contemplation on the intersection of self-perception.
Divergent Existence, 2024
3D-printed TPU, velvet, and metal spikes
The Divergent Existence handbag serves as a poignant metaphor for personal growth while integrating strengths and weaknesses as an evolution of the first design, symbolizing the transformation toward authenticity. This bag is an extension of the ideas presented in The Best Little Boy handbag. It delves into the complexities of existence and the contingent nature of self-worth. The metal spikes on the bottom symbolize the early struggles that moved from the inside to the outside. The piece was 3D-printed using transparent TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) and explores the intersection of fashion and industrial design. It took 25 hours to print all the TPU parts.
SECOND ACT
The consequences of my early life experiences are now presented in the second act, bringing to the table anxiety symptoms and the process of being in touch with my feelings.
Overthinking, 2024
3D-printed PETG and ASA, plastic cable ties, and utility paracord
The second act evokes the consequences of some childhood experiences, which led me to a reflective process of dealing with anxiety. It starts with the Overthinking handbag, which represents the heavy burden of overthinking and the struggle to live authentically in a world filled with insecurity and fear. This bag depicts the tangled web of thoughts restricting and constraining an individual's perception of self and the world. The shell and hardware were designed using CAD software and 3D-printed PETG (Polyethylene terephthalate glycol) filament, which took approximately 40 hours to complete. The handbag’s surface is covered by black zip ties that were manually attached one by one.
Unraveling, 2024
3D-printed PETG and utility paracord
Emotions are complex threads that weave through the fabric of our lives, often entangled and difficult to unravel. In the journey of self-discovery, confronting these emotions can be daunting yet profoundly liberating. Crafted as the fourth design in the collection, the Unraveling handbag represents a pivotal moment in my journey when I faced my fears and started therapy, encapsulating this transformative process and symbolizing the courage to untangle feelings, traumas, and anxieties. It is a poignant reminder that true liberation lies in embracing the raw authenticity of our emotions, allowing them to unfurl and guide us toward newfound resilience and self-awareness. The bag was designed using CAD software and 3D-printed with PETG filament. The paracord was added for embellishment.
THIRD ACT
The consequences of my early life experiences are now presented in the second act, bringing to the table anxiety symptoms and the process of being in touch with my feelings.
Metamorphosis, 2024
3D-printed PETG
The Metamorphosis handbag is a metaphor for my journey of growth and self-discovery. It represents the adaptability that life's changes demand. A caterpillar's capsule inspired the design and reflects the changes from within that nobody can see. The handbag was 3D modeled using Autodesk Fusion 360 and 3D-printed entirely with transparent PETG (Polyethylene terephthalate glycol) filament. This design was time-consuming and took roughly 95 hours to be printed. The "Metamorphosis" handbag invites you to confront the inevitability of change and embrace the transformative power of resilience and adaptation.
Healing, 2024
3D-printed ABS and PETG and silicone luminous fishing tube
The Healing handbag symbolizes emotional growth and self-acceptance, culminating in a transformative experience. For me, healing means being able to navigate through potentially hurtful places while feeling safe. This design is inspired by the mutualistic relationship between anemones and clownfish. The clownfish can protect itself from predators by hiding within the anemone's tentacles, which are armed with cnidocytes - defensive cells used to capture prey. The handbag's shell and hardware were designed using CAD software and 3D-printed using transparent filament. The shell was embellished with luminous silicone tubes, typically used for deep-sea fishing, representing the anemone's tentacles.
