“It doesn’t just have to be about war”
2023
My second project for the 20th Century Fashion History class drew its initial inspiration from Japanese patternmaking, leading me to delve into Japan's fashion scene during the 1940s. I was keen on basing my project around the 1940s, yet I aimed to look beyond the predominant war narrative, which, while significant, wasn't the sole focus I wanted.
The foundation of my research was anchored in two key sources: the "Japanese Beauties" Taschen book and Tomoko Nakamichi's "Pattern Magic" series. These resources opened up avenues to further exploration, which I pursued through various museums and fashion databases.
This project pushed me to experiment and venture into uncharted territories of fashion and history, ultimately making it my favorite. It was a blend of historical depth and creative exploration, capturing an era's essence while transcending its most obvious themes.
