Nostalgia, an ever-present companion on the journey of maturation, encompasses the poignant yearning for both the simplicity of childhood and the complexities of adolescence. Beyond a mere wistful gaze at bygone days, it is a visceral acknowledgment of irretrievable moments. This collection delves into the expansive landscape of reminiscence, honing in on the tangible
relics interwoven with memories.

 

As we navigate the abstract and universally relatable experience of sifting through old photographs, re-reading letters from the past, and trespassing into the sanctity of one's former self through the pages of a weathered journal, this collection aspires to encapsulate the essence of these shared human encounters. Each individual carries a personal tapestry of details, stories, and defining moments, yet the mind's capacity for retention is finite. Much slips away into the recesses of forgetfulness, but the residue of every experience is borne, even when the recollection dims.

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My intrigue with memories stems from this paradoxical nature. Yet, it's the tangible artifacts of the past—receipts, movie stubs, postcards, photo booth snapshots, and sketches—that captivate me most. They serve as vessels, preserving a fragment of one's essence in suspended animation. Thus, the title of my collection, "Legends from the Box Under My Bed," pays homage to the cherished relics of my personal history.

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Throughout the meticulous construction of this collection, my aim was to distill the nuances of memories and nostalgia, transmuting them into diverse design motifs. Hand-dyed patterned fabrics, precise pleats, and the recurrent motif of ribbons secured with buckles emerge as the key elements shaping the visual narrative. The color palette, oscillating between dark blue, deep red, cool-toned brown, and punctuations of creme, symbolizes the perpetual tug-of-war between the stark reality and the warm hues of recollection.

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Comprising four distinctive looks, the collection narrates a visual symphony. "The Hoarder," pleated in brown organza adorned with enigmatic drawings, cinched with ribbon and silver buckles, evokes the act of preserving memories. "Memories So Distant You Can't Remember If They Were Real" abstractly mirrors the distortion of memory through layered pleats and embroidered tube beads. This illusionistic theme persists in the third look, "I Was Once What You Are, and What I Am You Will Become," harmonizing childhood ruffles with a matured silhouette (inspired by the quote from Massacio’s ‘Holy Trinity’). The final look, "Nostalgia Is a Dirty Liar," delves into the concept of clinging to the fragments of the past—a scrunched pleated jacket and layered skirt bound together by silver buckles and ribbon (quote taken from Michele K.).

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Displayed here are the mood board, conceptual sketches, and four final illustrations, offering a sneak peek into the forthcoming "Legends from the Box Under My Bed" collection. The completed garments are currently in progress, and are set to debut in March.