
SwanSwan
Arjahn Cox has created a four-look collection based on the desires and needs of four different muses. Muses were found via general survey, chosen based on their responses, interviewed, measured and designed for, leading to final garments and outcomes.
This page highlights the work for and the experience of one muse: SwanSwan
Interview
Clip
Full Video
Each Muse was interviewed to find out their desires and needs in reference to their clothing choices and self-expression. The desires and needs expressed in these interviews were then used to inform the clothing that was created for the muses.
Design Process

Interview Excerpts
Designs were made from a mix of SwanSwan’s stated preferences from their interview and Arjahn’s interpretation of their wants and needs relating to SwanSwan’s fashion choices and identity.

Design Information Derived from Interview
In her interview, SwanSwan emphasized wanting to possess control of herself and her sexuality. They expressed that they feel empowered by sexy clothing and stated that genderless fashion shouldn't just be the colorless and boxy form that it usually takes, but that it can and should also be sexy, decorative, and colorful.

Focusing on pure femininity, decoration, and ideas of control
Excerpt from SwanSwan's Muse Book about what her ideal outfit would consist of

Moodboard
Excerpt from the Muse Book for SwanSwan on their views of androgyny and androgynous fashion
Interview Excerpts
Design Iterations


Final Design

Final Lineup

Design Approval
In keeping with the intent of prioritizing the wearer’s experience, muses were asked to approve designs and to make sure they would be comfortable wearing what was designed for them.

Making Process
Skirt Pattern Planning


Top Pattern Planning
Due to the muses’ body types being excluded from the sample size and binary gender model of fashion design, all patterns were made without the use of slopers and made using the measurements of the muse.
The initial plan was to make a corset dress for SwanSwan with a mini skirt underneath.
The design then changed to a V-neck corset top and a longer skirt.




Fitting

Refining



Materiality
Materiality was used to meet SwanSwan's desire of body decoration. The main method used was pleated patchwork out of cotton fabric.
Patterning
Copied the pattern from the corset top sample onto pattern paper to plan top materiality

Materiality Goal

Envisioned to use layered pieces of cotton fabric
Front Pattern Planning

Back Pattern Planning

Painted pattern pieces with water color paint to distinguish color easily when cutting out pieces in final fabric
The front right side had 14 pattern pieces, the front left had 8 pieces, the back right had 7 pieces, and the back left had 11 making the top 40 pieces in total.
Front Inside Materiality

Back Inside Materiality

For each piece, material was cut out on fabric without manipulation, and then cut out again on the pleated fabric of the same color - in which pleats had been sewn secure.
Those two fabrics were then notched and sewn together
and then sewn to the other pieces of their respective parts of the corset.
Outside Materiality


Final Photos
Photos by Lucre Visual Media
Photos were taken with the motive
of muses being themselves and feeling comfortable and confident in the garments. Photos were taken at a mansion in New York with the intent of showing the muses in a grandiose environment and taking up space in a place that is historically exclusionary.





