HX Varley

15 Dresses
January 27, 2022

Entitled “15 Dresses” because there are dresses and I’m making 15 of them, my thesis project will be an exploration of process vs. product. Every week over the course of the semester (Yes this includes spring break), I will follow the same step-by-step process of creating a dress from the point of conceptualization to the completion of the final product. While the project is repetitive in nature, the end products of each week will be very different. Steps of the processes will be recorded every week both physically and digitally, with the final documentation being presented as 1. A chronological online record of the creation of each dress including reference images, photographs, sketches, patterns, videos, and written descriptions, and 2. A physical book containing the same visual elements, as well as samples of fabrics and materials included in each dress.

My conceptual goals for this project are to showcase the difference between technical process and final product, giving attention to how even very repetitive work can achieve vastly different end results. But HX, you’re thinking, what if one week you can’t finish? Doesn’t that ruin everything forever?? No! That’s called a learning experience, the process will still be documented, and the unfinished product will still be displayed as an example of how, despite leading to versatile results, a strictly kept technical design and development process may lead to eventual limitations.

Artists influencing my work in this endeavor include independent costume artists Rachel Maksy and Micarah Tewers, Dollmaker and Miniature pattern designer Kathrine “Dollightful” Murray, Prominent wedding dress designer Maggie Sottero, as well as the idea of time-limited conceptual design challenges from shows like Project Runway- Except my competition is myself.