Harold Taylor, a 21 year old African American designer, has begun to use his art practice as a way to reflect on the spiritual and mystic experiences within his life. Harold’s senior thesis in particular is the start to building a world for his art to live in. Harold’s work has explored concepts such as rebirth, spirit guides and ancestral connection. The goal of Harold’s present fashion work is to create a space where the audience and himself can grow beyond the boundaries of our dimension. The cosmic aesthetics within Harold’s creations invites the viewer to travel to his personal universe, which is a place that promotes the advancement of spiritual and intellectual thought.
Collection Drawings: Look 1, 2022, colored pencil, maker and watercolor
Collection Drawings: Look 2, 2022, colored pencil, marker and watercolor
Collection Drawings: Look 3, 2022, colored pencil, marker and water color
Look 1: The One Who Knows All, 2022, Photo by Alyvia Luong
Inspired by the astrological sign Virgo and the Egyptian God Thoth, The One Who Knows All stands as a symbol of intellect and the mind. As an earth based being, this guide is grounded, elegant and classic in appearance. They are on a constant mission to expand their mental abilities and learn from the past, present, and future of the universe.
Look 2: The One Who Feels All, 2022, Photo by Alyvia Luong
Inspired by the astrological sign Cancer and the Egyptian Goddess Bast, The One Who Feels All represents the relationship between a hard exterior and soft interior. As a water based being, this guide passes through the physical and emotional realms with ease. They protect their inner selves with a fierce persona, and use this trait to protect the ones around them.
Look 3: The One Who Fears None, 2022, Photo by Alyvia Luong
Inspired by the astrological sign Aries and the Egyptian God Osiris, The One Who Fears None stands as a symbol of power and passion. As a fire based being, this guide is led by their internal flame that is fueled by their love of adventure and freedom. They travel through the darker parts of the cosmos with confidence, and do not stand down from a challenge.
Looks 1, 2 and 3 Together
Suture Exhibition Installation: Angle 1, Sculpture Collaboration with Emma Kerber, fabric casted In Resin
Suture Exhibition Installation: Angle 2, Sculpture Collaboration with Emma Kerber, fabric casted In Resin
Suture Exhibition Installation: Angle 3, Sculpture Collaboration with Emma Kerber, fabric casted In Resin
Within my senior thesis collection, the audience will follow three different cosmic entities that have their own individual look. Each entity, or “spirit guide”, is a representation of myself and the different layers of who I am as a person. Black spiritual thought such as ancient Egyptian mythology and astrological ideas are mixed to create the aesthetics of each guide. The inclusion of these ideas allows me to create unique forces that I can connect to through my ancestry, personality and overall identity. Each guide is a combination between a specific astrological sign and an Egyptian god that have similar abilities and characteristics. The collection has been used as an avenue of self discovery and exploring the idea of a “cosmic fingerprint”, or the presence that each of us hold within the universe.