top of page

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

SwanSwan wmb.jpg

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.

swanswanmb.jpg

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.

SS take on androgyny.jpg

Focusing on pure femininity, decoration, and ideas of control

Excerpt from SwanSwan's Muse Book about what her ideal outfit would consist of

SS ideal outfit.jpg

Moodboard

Excerpt from the Muse Book for SwanSwan on their views of androgyny and androgynous fashion

Interview Excerpts

Design Iterations

Final Design

swanswan final look 2.jpg

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.

ss look approval.png

Making Process

Skirt Pattern Planning

Swanswan_Look_Layout_.png
Swanswan_Look_Layout_ 2.png

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.

IMG_0803 2.JPG
IMG_0794 2.JPG
920C632B-3F84-4081-839D-48D64F7C1A76.JPG
23650EC9-F1CA-4C9F-8CA7-2CD3557FA434.JPG

Fitting 

Untitled_Artwork 12.png

Refining

ss3.jpg
ss41.jpg
sss42.jpg

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

swanswan final look 3.png

Materiality Goal

60728501-B42C-445A-B67C-A3DF7A08DFC6.JPG

Envisioned to use layered pieces of cotton fabric

Front Pattern Planning

Screen Shot 2023-05-16 at 10.18.32 PM.png

Back Pattern Planning

1F7D8625-1B27-41F7-9339-2711366804D1.JPG

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

4E36EBC8-FBDA-49AC-8DA5-FEE76ECB245B.JPG
IMG_6EF13FFB7499-1.jpeg

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.

LVM_Arjahn_GroupPhoto_FullLengthStanding.jpg

Subscription Form

Thank You

©2023 Arjahn

bottom of page