This semester I explored the ‘Cult of Domesticity’ through the expression of a chair, beauty in relation to hair, and femininity in a 22 piece collection. Sustainability and waste prevention are at the forefront of my practice, and almost everything used was thrifted or preowned. Through these three projects, I wanted to call attention to what society demands of women, as well as question the boundaries placed around beauty and what it means to be female. I find that femininity and beauty are defined as weak and limiting. A woman’s role is to serve. Labels are strict. What is and isn’t beautiful is for a higher power to decide. I wanted to bring strength to what it means to be feminine, and question what is needed to be beautiful.
'Jam and Jelly, Welcome', 2021, modeled by Chana Goldbloom and Terry John, photo by Caroline Chlipala
Two looks of the 22 piece collection.
'A Different Kind of Beauty Pt.1', 2021, shot and modeled by Caroline Chlipala
Experimental project 2. Made of thrifted beads, a fur coat, lace and a headband. Photos by Caroline Chlipala
'A Different Kind of Beauty Pt.2', 2021, 2021, shot and modeled by Caroline Chlipala
Experimental project 2. Made of thrifted pearl beads, a fur coat, lace, and leather. Photos by Caroline Chlipala
'Jam and Jelly 3/22', 2021, 2021, modeled by Zoot Peterson and Astrid Schneider, photos by Caroline Chlipala
2 looks. Made of quilted fabric, white jean, navy jean and Levis.
'Jam and Jelly 4/22', 2021, 2021, modeled by Bella Luna Fulk and Nicholas Santos Norris, photos by Caroline Chlipala
3 looks. Made of shower curtain, dinner sheet, canvas pants, Levi jeans, grommets, ribbon, and reused fabric.
'Jam and Jelly 5/22', 2021, 2021, modeled by V Armijo and Bella Luna Fulk, photos by Caroline Chlipala
2 looks. Made of baby blanket, canvas pants, Levi jeans, grommets, ribbon, and reused fabric.
'Jam and Jelly 5/22', 2021, 2021, modeled by Enna @fencesuperstar, Lou M. Jenkins, and Terry John, photos by Caroline Chlipala
3 looks. Made of table sheets, Levi jeans, and blanket.
'Jam and Jelly 8/22', 2021, 2021, modeled by Chana Goldbloom, Nico Sanches, and Nico Tovar, photos by Caroline Chlipala
4 looks. Made of reused fabric, canvas pants, blankets, grommets, ribbon, and Levi jeans.
'Cult of Domesticity Chair', 2021, 40x17x19 in., photo by Caroline Chlipala
Surface Exploration. Made of thrifted fur jacket, pearl beads, wooden chair, and collage. Photos by Caroline Chlipala
The ‘Cult of Domesticity Chair’ is a commentary on the womans’ assigned role as an object, a form of comfort, and pleasure, with the expectation of elegance. As well as relating its function to supporting the weight of an individual to a mother’s role. The beading expresses beauty as well as weight, the collage representing sexual desire, the fur comfort, a kitchen chair being domestic and restricted to the kitchen. The entire piece is an object with a purpose to serve.
The headdresses are Slavic-inspired. Meant to mimic hair and the effect it has on society’s definition of beauty. A bodybuilding project calling into question the necessity for hair to be beautiful.
Through my garments, I wanted to celebrate femininity present in everyone: male, female, and non-binary. The fabric and ribbon used were intentionally childish, dainty, and matronly. In contrast with the canvas and jeans being robust, tough, and used for working conditions. I wanted to decorate and seize power in the feminine aesthetic. Each piece was designed without gender boundaries. Photographed in a floral, spring setting.
This semester was my first true introduction to fashion and I’m eager to continue my practice of sustainable and feminist-driven work.