Mini Collection: My Body

Why as a woman should I feel shame for the way I want to dress? I aimed to create a collection that I refuse to apologise for if it is considered too revealing.  Can I create a collection that goes against what is socially acceptable to wear? Here is my collection focused on the notion of the male gaze and the way women are sexualised by what they wear. The male gaze suggests a sexualized way of looking that empowers men and objectifies women. Visually positioning a woman as an object refers to her being framed by the male desire making her own feelings, thoughts, and sexual desires less important than his.  One of the hardest things I think to balance and navigate as a woman is the conflict within ourselves to be more than just what we look like but at the same time having to deal with the fact that we are ashamed that we want people to like the way we look. The reason I have designed these garments this way is because I’ve been told I can’t wear clothing that shows features such as my chest, bum, even shoulders and my back. I wanted to make something that goes against those typical standards of what women have been told not to wear due to the male gaze. I have exaggerated those features while at the same time them being covered up. I decided to crochet as it is considered a women’s craft and is often forgotten about and not looked at for the craftsmanship that is used to make. I wanted to shine a light back on it and I feel like it creates a connection between me and the garment as I’ve created it from string into a wearable piece. I named this collection 'My Body' as it is MY BODY and the way I want to present myself is up to ME and ME only.