APPAR 3122

This class evolves around an exploration of identity, social identity and fashion, and how clothing might assume responses not only for the wearer but for the audience too. Although some say that appearances are vain, they are also a way for us to divulge and communicate much to the world. Many of our encounters remain in the domain of the visual and there is rarely time or space to facilitate getting to know a person. Looking and seeing therefore, can oftentimes generate assumptions based solely on appearances. These assumptions can be derived from an individual perspective, but more often than not, are formed and dictated by culture and stereotypes.The class will explore individual and social identities through wearables and how ‘They’ relates back to each of us/you. Identity, alter ego and ego will also be investigated as a means to examine the interactions that emerge via visibility and invisibility. Some of the questions that will be explored through research, discussions and collaborative activities.

• Who am I?

• Who would I like to be?

• How might clothing create a mask for a persona?

• How might I construct ideas of myself?

• How might clothing become a means to facilitate an altered experience and/or presence?

The course Sophomore Design: Identity/Identities incorporates 4 stages within the development of the course work and is taught by 2 different faculty that guide and support the progression of work from and within their unique expertise. Each Stage of the course builds of one another consecutively covering the areas or research, concept development, design principles, exploration in 2D and 3D developments and performance.

The course works to open students to experimental and alternative ways of making and presenting a garment, existing outside of industrial standards of mass produced fashion. It aims to unpack and disrupt no- tions of power in the fashion discipline, by allowing students to form an Alter-Ego that empowers them with the communication of their vision and the celebration of their identities.

Alter-Ego

“An alter ego (Latin for “other I”, “doppelgänger”) means an alternate self, which is believed to be distinct from a person’s normal or true

original personality. Finding one’s alter ego will require finding one’s other self, one with a different personality. The altered states of the ego may themselves be referred to as alterations. A distinct meaning of alter ego is found in the literary analysis used when referring to fictional literature and other narrative forms, describing a key character in a story who is perceived to be intentionally representative of the work’s author (or creator), by oblique similarities, in terms

“Beyoncé further explained that Sasha Fierce came about in an effort to separate her timid personality from her stage-slaying persona, giving her the courage to be free and seductive while performing. “Sasha Fierce is the fun, more sensual, more aggressive, more outspoken side and more glamorous side that comes out when I’m working and when I’m on the stage,” - Beyonce on Oprah 2008.

Estimated Cost of Materials: $250.00

Majors are pre-registered by the department. This course is a requirement for Sophomore Apparel Design Students. 

Major Requirement | BFA Apparel Design