Occupy Everything - reflecting on overpopulation within a demi-couture fashion collection.

https://kent-islandora.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/ugresearch/2016/2016all/71/thumbnail.jpgOverpopulation is defined by an individual’s want to thrive versus the relevant resources needed for survival. If the growth in population is inevitable, why hone in on the negative effects? The earth’s census has increased by five billion in the last 88 years, which is four times faster than the predicted rate in the 1800s. Throughout this time, we have exceeded what we already know, and learned to adapt to a new way of living. Every time the earth is harmed or becomes scarce of a resource, we come together to find a solution. It is said that the key to maintaining a functional environment is technology. This collection is here to raise awareness to a fact. No matter what we do, our population will grow, people will multiply, we will find new cures for diseases, and we will always have new technology to better our world. “Occupy Everything” is not a collection to frown upon exponential growth, but to appreciate the benefits of it. Each piece in this collection represents how we embrace the chaos surrounding us. By using technology and unique silhouettes, each piece represents a factor of overpopulation. Silk fabrics representing the beauty and creativity developing around us, and braids representing the complexity of what we have created. A demi-couture collection using shapes created by overlapping highways to create silhouette, effective color and fabric story to represent the lightness of our “problem,” and a print design using the highways that started it all.