FEMME FINALE

Category: Apparel

This collection is a response to my research into the femme fatale character trope, how it’s an idea of women catered towards men— only strong enough to tempt men but not to overcome them. The Femme Finale is strong entirely for herself, and is a product of female creation and vision, not of male fantasy and desire. This collection is inspired by real women, the process we go through to empower and protect ourselves everyday, creating an alter ego as we do so. I wanted to take this alter ego and turn her into a character, and then create a collection for her. This collection represents untouchable female strength, the juxtaposition between hard and soft, danger and beauty. These garments are meant to elevate and protect the female body. This specific look is the fourth look of the collection, entitled ADORNMENT, and represents the point in the femme finale's journey when she has gone through trials and has not only come out stronger, but has come out more individualistic and ready to step into her most divine self. This look is made only of natural materials, leather and silk. The bodice is made from leather from Global Leathers, and was wet-molded by hand to create the illusion of draped fabric. The back features a bow that is made of molded thermoplastic wrapped in the same leather, representing the juxtaposition of hard and soft as a bow is a typically feminine symbol turned into a protective weapon. The skirt is made of a silk faille fabric sourced in the United States from Mood Fabrics. The boots are made of leather from Atlantica Leather and are laser cut to feature the motif of an iron gate, symbolizing strength and femininity, all the while protecting the body. This look plays with the idea of what is deceivingly soft or deceivingly hard, with the wet-molded leather bodice mimicking a soft texture but actually being hard, as well as the thermoplastic bow on it, whereas the gate motif boots represent something hard--an iron gate-- but are actually soft and flexible.