Paper Outfits

Marloes Blaas & Nicole Emilie Roca

 

During her research for this project, Marloes Blaas was inspired by the use of cheap materials in clothing during the recession in the 1930s. Coming up with this data referring to paper in fashion and clothing, the designer managed to share her creative vision with Nicole Roca who carried it out through two garments as well as accessories. For the sweater, the paper was cut into thin strips which were then skillfully knitted together. The stitch is consciously spaced out to reinforce the light aspect that the material already states. It was then painted in a very up-to-date way. The design plays with contrast, mingling a frothy and light texture with the heavy image of a chain mail. These designs are original in the way they question materiality and transformation. Through the pants, the two women explore the relationship between paper and textile, paper being used here as a surrogate material to approach the optical effect of a textile as close as possible. The crumpled aspect and the folding techniques as well as the sewing-together of each piece show the mastery of the craftsman coupled with the ingenuity of the designer.