As part of the IIDA Central Florida Chapter’s “Stitched” competition, our team from AOA was paired with flooring manufacturer Patcraft to design and fabricate a garment from their materials. We competed against 11 other design firms and were awarded Most Innovative for our work!
The look presented is the embodiment of the zodiac Cancer as they descend from the stars to walk amongst humans. We created a fantastical design inspired by the androgyny of Samurai meets Geisha, with the aspects of crab shell and sea foam influencing the armor and draped sleeves.
This piece is constructed from Patcraft materials including metallic carpet backing, carpet samples, yarn the team tufted and braided ourselves, vinyl flooring samples, and rubber floor transitions. I personally patterned and fabricated the armored elements of the outfit, while my team member Erin completed the sewn portions and Jen custom tufted the carpeting for the armor!
“armor mimics the shell they once had. sandy undertones with pops of color and equipped with lungs that allow them to breathe in water and on land. flowing from the armor are sleeves fashioned from the star speckled bubbling tide. with the moon perched above them and starlight shining throughout, there is no containing cancer’s warm glow. an otherworldly personification of crab, and sea, and shore, and star.”
SOFT-SHELL CELESTIAL
