Longing to Dance

The collection, titled "A Longing to Dance," pays tribute to my father's joyful spirit and his desire to dance. It captures the liberation found in pursuing passions despite societal and patriarchal restrictions. Inspired by my father's wardrobe from his twenties, I focused on creating key silhouettes. To deepen my understanding of dance, I explored its theoretical foundations and physical movements. Influences include Merce Cunningham's Chance theory and Michael Clark's "Cosmic Dancer." Collaborating with a dancer, I observed their style and how garments moved with their body, which informed my design process. This led me to experiment with elements representing the fluidity and freedom felt during performances. My approach blends an effortlessly classic style with a clinical and analytical perspective. I examined the language and grace of dancers, altering menswear pieces to align with my vision. Drawing inspiration from performers' movements, I added modern twists to my designs. My portfolio showcases this process through sketches, collages, and combining images and materials. Working with second-hand clothing helped me improve my tailoring skills and reinterpret classic men’s fashion, emphasizing and exaggerating shoulders, and introducing intricate detailing in blazers to represent the contraction and freedom of fabric during dance. Infusing elements of my father’s 70s-style wardrobe—featuring shiny, textured fabrics—alongside traditional wool menswear fabrics, I aimed to convey a vibrant sense of energy and liberation within a conservative society. "A Longing to Dance" embodies my father's love and enduring passion for dance. It serves as a visual narrative of the boundless freedom that comes from wholeheartedly pursuing one's passions.