My dress for the Umbrella Inside Out Competition is inspired by the form, material, and endless reusable possibilities of an umbrella. I am inspired by the thought of multiple umbrellas, actually. I see a variety of umbrellas in many colors, swirling and tilting, sheltering their companions, keeping them safe underneath the protective covering. I think of the protective covering, and the concept of clothing as shelter, external identity, as a communication tool between strangers. I think of what we wear, and where it comes from, and how it is disposed of. I think of trash heaps, with synthetic fabrics and broken umbrellas, no longer able to perform their sole purpose. I think of the elements that we are 'protecting' ourselves from with these umbrellas- nature's rain, the sun, the actions of the earth that I take for granted too often.

I have been inspired by this competition, to think all of these thoughts, and take these umbrellas- broken, tattered, borrowed, and turn them into something beautiful. The shapes that I designed come from the action of the umbrella- the sudden volume upon opening, the controlled shape upon closing. I translated the volume into the skirt part of the dress. It has godet insets to create expansion. I used the true panelled shapes of the umbrella for these godets. The overall shape of the bodice implies the containment of a closed umbrella. The back and sides of the bodice are the structure, while the front of the bodice is fluid and free in its natural state, only to be held back by the tie that holds it down. When untied, the front piece (made of reused silk tulle) can float freely, much like the skirt underneath. There are back button closures, using reused buttons.

Through the process of designing this dress, I have come to realise that this competition is about design freedom and consciousness. It is has been a challenge to look at the object and its material, to see them not only in their intended form, but what form and life they may possibly be.

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