Hi, my name is Rose Okamura. My junior collection is conceptually rooted in rebuilding the world. I was inspired by eco futurist ideals and the solar punk art movement. Eco futurism’s core concept is rebuilding the world with new technologies that don’t cause environmental harm. The solar punk art movement shows an ideal balance between human structures and nature. My collection is a celebration of this ideal reintegration. Fabric manipulations inspired by natural structures are attached to and integrated with garment. With silhouette’s taking shape from solar punk architecture. I’ve titled this collection “Together Forever” as a playful nod towards the marriage of natural and human structures.
Final Group Shot 1, 2021, Photo by Noah Taylor
First Draft Sketches in Color, Digital Collage, Marker on paper
Some of the first round of sketches for this collection in color
Look 1 Details, 2021, Photo by Noah Taylor, Unedited
Look 2 Details, 2021, Photo by Noah Taylor, Unedited
Look 3, 2021, Photo by Noah Taylor
Final Group Shot 2, 2021, Photo by Noah Taylor
Studio Day, 2021
last day in the studio, work in progress picture from studio friend, Iyomi Ho-ken
Look 2 Details, 2021, Photo by Noah Taylor
3 Looks Final Illustrations, Paper Collage, Digital Collage, 2021, Portfolio Page
Final Group Shot 3, 2021, Photo by Noah Taylor
Artist Statement:
Much like my concept of balancing natural and human structures, working on this collection has taught me a lot about balancing work and personal life. This project has been a place of comfort and growth for me amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. This last year, I’ve found myself taking more breaks to recuperate strength and feel fresh in the studio. I’ve discovered these breaks to be most important in my art practice. Early on in this collection, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Despite this personal development, I was still able to accomplish everything I hoped for this collection–sparing no amount of meticulous hand-work and detailing. I count myself lucky to have found a better balance of work and rest, and this has given me more confidence in my abilities as a creative. This collection has gifted me a better understanding of myself and more strength/trust in my work. Thank you for reading!