DISFIGUREMENT.
Embarking on a theme held close to heart, I will be exploring the idea of 'Disfigurement' inspired by a series of childhood illnesses, and longtime family haunts. Having to watch a family member cover their bodies furtively out of insecurities marring superficial skin has spurred on this project. It took me a couple years to understand that they were suffering from Basal Cell Carcinoma, a form of skin cancer affecting mostly fair-skinned people.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) stems from over exposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun and/or tanning beds. I have also included similar skin diseases such as Melanoma and Actinic Keratosis in my theme, which feeds into the concept of skin disfigurement. Actinic Keratosis, alongside with BCC, is caused by chronic exposure to the sun. All three diseases tend to cause bumps, blood blisters and even unnecessary scabbing of the skin. Tumor growth comes with BCC, and they may look shiny on the surface with central indentations of the bump, causing unsightly bloody patches along the skin. All these diseases would unfortunately cause scarring after treatment, due to the nature of the disease, although scarring of Actinic Keratosis could be reversed with a chemical peel.
Disfigurement. is a concept planned for AW20/21, and targets streetwear. It revolves around the physical appearances marred by the unsightly growths; mainly tumors and the reinterpretations of them. Some possible textile manipulations which would be employed are felting, water marbling, and digital printing as interpretations of scabbing and scarring. I am henceforth considering layering them over in my understanding of how people tend to cover up scars with cosmetology methods and the eventual healing, marking the end of their journey.
