TOE HOLD STAGGER

Category: Footwear

How can my fashion artefacts activate people into an increased body awareness through their connection to the physical mass of the body, in order to re-centre themselves into the present moment? The project aims to reignite people's connection to real life by reactivating their physical senses, countering the numbness caused by escapism through activities like gambling, virtual gaming, or substance use. This sensory project explores the weight and physicality of the human body through a blend of limbs, prosthetics, garments, and behaviours. By engaging with specially designed "receptacles" that transform from empty shells to tangible extensions of the body, the wearer experiences heightened bodily awareness through intentional, weight-sensing positions. These high heels are wearable and designed for walking. As the foot enters the foot-shaped shoe, the hand can slip into the glove-like structure shaped as a hand inside. At this moment, the hand gently supports the weight of the toes from within, creating a subtle physical connection. This piece offers a complete sensory experience, unfolding from the simple act of wearing the shoes to an intimate awareness of the body. My project draws inspiration from the movie Trainspotting (1996), which portrays a heroin addict striving to escape addiction and em- brace a normal life. In the protagonist's closing monologue, mundane aspects of life, such as jobs and family, are depicted as deeply cherished by someone trapped in despair. I empathize with this sentiment, often finding myself caught in cycles of avoidance and helplessness, bound by numbness stemming from fear and inertia. This reflection led me to explore how ordinary aspects of life could be used to reawaken a numbed mind and body, encouraging a return to the present reality. This project stands at the intersection of body, accessory, and garment, and my intention is to break the boundaries between all three. I consider my designs to be ‘embodied fashion’ which suggest a series of performative activities that promote a re-connection to the body through sensory perception. I am dedicated to representing the human body through the intricate craftsmanship of wet-molded leather, creating pieces that act as extensions of the body. These crafted leather forms are designed to be worn, allowing the wearer to experience a sense of unity between their own body and an 'empty' form. Garment elements such as cuffs and shorts serve as connections, symbolising the fusion between the crafted body and the real one. The collection features radical accessories that originate in the body, are worn, carry its weight, and become part of it. These pieces not only enhance bodily awareness but also reaffirm self-identity through sensory engagement. I see my designs as being witty and surreal in their expression, but at their core they discuss ideas about human beings, their physical existence, and their psychological complexity.