Espousal a la Mode
Abstract
This thesis describes the creation of sculptural wedding gowns with the ultimate goal of highlighting the realities of marriage in a society where divorce is almost as common as sustaining said unions. These realities are represented by six marital problems visualized by the use of sculptural textures. The collection is built upon the concept that the foundation of the gown must be strong in order to support the fabric manipulations, just as the relationship of the couple must be strong in order to overcome the marital problem that each gown represents. The use of contemporary structures, mixed with traditional elements, such as fabric, silhouette, and color, create a uniquely blended collection reminiscent of traditional matrimonial designs, while simultaneously pushing forward into the future of this genre.