For some bizarre reason I've been designing umbrella outfits for a while now. Playing with the mechanics of an umbrella- how the open-close mechanism could be incorporated into novel transformable garments. I also love recyclable dressing - it incorporates majority of my wardrobe.

For this garment I wanted to translate the rigidity of the metal wires and the smooth shape it usually creates into a more fluid garment style. I played with the idea of thrown out umbrellas- trash umbrellas, and turning these into couture.

It presents notions of transforming materials even to their core and thereby recreating them. A new perspective leads to a new use, and trash can become treasure. I really do think that trash is not objective, it is subjective.

Design-wise, several used, broken umbrellas are used and are propped and hinged together to create the skirt. The top is a hood/cape style piece attached at the waist- I wanted still to incorporate the idea of actually being sheltered whilst wearing this garment. I opted for simpler design, but the ideas can be exaggerated & teased out during the draping process.

20060901-6367-1567