My name is Caeli Harris and I am currently a sophomore in the core program. Through fashion and garment construction I am interested in speaking about topics within blackness and femininity. As a black woman, it is important to me to use my interests and skills within fashion as a way of illuminating social issues that have impacted my life, and use this personal view as a way to speak to a wider audience. This can be seen through my submission, which is a garment made to show the connections of disrespected black traditions throughout the Black diaspora.
Emerald Shoot, 2021, Photoshoot, 18x28 in, Photo by Justin Brock
Editorial Photos
Emerald Shoot, 2021, Photoshoot, 18x28 in, Photo by Justin Brock
Editorial Photos
Emerald Shoot, 2021, Photoshoot, 18x28 in, Photo by Justin Brock
Editorial Photos
Emerald Shoot, 2021, Photoshoot, 18x28 in, Photo by Justin Brock
Editorial Photos
Emerald Shoot, 2021, Photoshoot, 18x28 in, Photo by Justin Brock
Editorial Photos
Emerald Shoot, 2021, Photoshoot, 18x28 in, Photo by Justin Brock
Editorial Photos
Emerald Shoot, 2021, Photoshoot, 18x28 in, Photo by Justin Brock
Editorial Photos
Research, 2021, Research,
Research collage
Research, 2021, Research,
Research collage
Final Illustration, 2021, Illustration,
Color illustration
For my collection I’m using the emerald as a physical connector or mirror of African culture to reflect on my experience as an African American woman. I’m specifically looking at African American historic time periods that are considered “extra” and “ghetto” to a large part of society, such as 90’s New York street culture. I am showing how jewels in Africa are mined by outside European forces and being taken and used for their benefit. There’s a connection between the Black diaspora having their cultural traditions of fashion and beauty being denied, disrespected and stolen. The usage of African American jewelry trends and African gems within my garment is an overall statement to how traditions of black adornment throughout the world have been labeled as unworthy for us to possess. Stealing native resources such as the emerald is the same as wearing bamboo earrings and appropriating it, or labeling these accessories as inappropriate because of racist bias. The emerland is a mirror or reflector that shows the cultural connections across a diaspora’s experience. When the garment is documented, I will be styling myself in it by wearing jewelry that I am using in my garment and different forms of native African body markings .The aspects of the emerald is shown through my textiles and dye process.The color story includes greens inspired by the gemstone and earthy tones to reference the lands they come from. Surface treatment will be taken into account by embellishing my garment with various green crystals. I have been looking into the rice history of emeralds and what they mean . This is just to get inspiration for my yardage for my garment. I would also like to explore feminine elements for the garment.