Raised By A Swan

My mother is my swan. An elegant swan who protects her children with her mighty strength and power. She crossed oceans to raise me, carrying me under her warm wings—my security blanket. She shields me from all weathers, but when does this protection become too much?

I am designing a womenswear collection inspired by this complex relationship. It expresses the soft, the rough, and the in between. Through textiles, I explore the illusion of what looks soft but feels rough.

I draw inspiration from the animalistic tenderness in Pina Bausch’s 'The Rite of Spring,' and Ross Bonfanti’s 'Concreatures.' I experiment with pumice stones, wool, and enamel to mimic textures that deceive—hard forms that seem soft. Lastly, I incorporate elements of Hwatu, Korean cards, by designing six cards based on photos of my mother and I.