In the Seams of Representation

The intersections of fashion and societal norms have always been present in photography as an artistic medium. Acting as documentation, advertisement, and/or personal artefact, fashion photographs have mapped the trends and changes in how people express their identity, particularly when it comes to the expression of gender. Inspired by Judith Butler’s theory of gender as a performance, In the Seams of Representation aims to challenge and redefine our visual understandings of gender constructs, using the reworkings of historical images to construct a new visual language in which identity is simultaneously revealed and constructed. 

Archival images that historically pushed against societal gender expectations were first sourced and printed on fabric to be used in the construction of a dress, turning these images into a tactical and wearable form that engages both past and present. The selected images, having all been sourced within the framework of fair use, represented a diverse collection of representational fashion, allowing participants to make the garment their own through styling it in ways that reflected an authentic expression of their identity.

During the photo shoots, participants engaged in conversations about how they wished to be represented based on their gender identity. These open dialogues informed posing, styling, and the creative direction of the shoot, fostering a collaborative environment where representation was an active and personal process. This approach emphasized the importance of individual agency in the expression of gender, celebrating its fluid and multifaceted nature.

Through its use of archival imagery, design, and photography, In the Seams of Representation aims to dismantle traditional boundaries of gender representation in fashion. It positions the garment as both a canvas and a statement, inviting viewers to reconsider the performative nature of  their own identity and the potential of fashion as a medium for self-expression.