The Structure of Modesty

What is modesty?

How do you define modesty?

Who decides what modesty is?

And when these questions are finally answered…

Who decides the line of modesty in an ever changing world?

Is there different types of modesty?

Is anyone really modest anymore?

It is these kinds of questions that are of interest to me. They aren’t questions that can be answered in black and white. They aren’t even questions that I can create the answers to by responding to my own thoughts because the fact is that there are so many contradictions. I would consider myself modest. I try to take an interest in other people’s opinions, views and stories; I try not to brag or skite; and I try to dress appropriately to the situation. But this is my definition of modesty. I am far from modest in Muslim customs and far too modest in the eyes of a bushman.

There is an interesting article by John Grohol, Psychologist entitled ‘Is Exhibition the New Modesty”. The article explores the idea of modesty and raises the question about what it actually is and who defines it. His answer? ‘We do’. It is defined by the individual, the majority and the minority in one. However, as social media takes a larger and larger affect on the individual and whole alike, ‘exhibitionism’ is changing our perception of modesty; making it even harder to define.

Another article exploring the idea of modesty is Oliver James’ opinion piece in The Guardian (August 2011). Entitled ‘Family Under the Microscope’, James articulates the modesty, or lack thereof, present in a range of countries and cultures. It is presumed that America “hold unrealistically positive views of themselves, believing they are much better than average”. As a country and culture that is so highly influenced by America, I am in no doubt Australians are much the same.

My research lead me to consider again how modesty is more than just covering up, but a state of self. Referring to a quote on Islamic dress code which interested me earlier on; “Dress is only one aspect of total being, and merely reflects what is present inside a person’s heart”.

Perhaps for a devout Muslim, the role of dress is structured in such a way that follows their equally structured religion. But in saying that, this is true for any religion or culture; belief, customs and morals have a large impact on the way we dress from Muslim to Christian and from beach babe to the gothic subculture.

The idea of someone’s inner feelings, beliefs or customs being represented on the outside through dress is a huge concept to tackle, ranging over a myriad of areas and ideas. In fact, the idea of inner feelings being portrayed on the outside is something I am exploring in Technology and Dress at the same time as this. This does not mean, however, that these two projects will be in any way similar.Culture and Dress brings an inspiration on its own; the Palestinian dress, the idea of modesty, and the contemporary environment to which I bring forward these designs.

Designing for the Urban Nomad

As a group, we were given a 2 man tent and asked to design and make a wearable, adaptable living environment prototype for the homeless within a week. This is what we created...

Technology and Dress

Technology and the body is a major part of any life. Not only is there transplants and manipulations, but it is a part of everyday life. As technology advances, it becomes more and more evident in everyday life to a point where people are dependent upon it. We become more and more connected to the world as well as community, with social networks such as Facebook and Twitter a perfect example. But with a personal front in the form of a digital wall or selection of short messages, it is evident that a loss of face to face communication techniques is apparent. Obviously humans have lost many adaptations that are necessary for animal survival, but have we even lost the ability to communicate properly? A computer screen needs nothing more than a few lines of text. There is no need for body language or other forms of communicative techniques. With technology so encrypted into our daily lives, it is not going anywhere. Evidently, our only savior is the problem itself; we need technology to get us back to animal basics. 

I was inspired by technology to create these conceptual  garments following the technology created by Carbon. Keep reading for all the details:

When vapourised, Carbon creates what is called a Buckminsterfuleren or a ‘Bucky Ball’. The structure created is of a shape like a soccer ball with 12 pentagon and 20 hexagon shapes which, interestingly, fit together. When this molecule is stretched, it creates a nanotube molecule. This molecule has the ability to hold up an incredible weight percentage which is 10x stronger than any other material in the world. What is specific to my project, is the last manipulation done to this molecule. When the molecule is split in half and ‘opened up’, it creates a strong, transparent, flexible and electrical material which can potentially be wrapped around, say the wrist, and be used as a touch screen computer.

It is predicted that this material may be available in as little as 2-3 years time, meaning it is only a matter of time before people are not only surrounding themselves in various forms of technology, but literally wrapping themselves in the material. But instead of putting up a barrier in communication even further, can this technology aid in face to face communication techniques, bringing the inside feelings out? 

Catalyst 2011 

Garments made from interfacing tucked and glued. Plastic shade-cloth for silver shapes. Computer chips and cords for accessories.

Corrugated Country: Whole Garment Technology

Knit fabric

Wool 

Australia

The Australian Climate

Modularity

Adaptability

Whole-Garment Technology

The Classic White Shirt

“Institutionalised"
To explore the classic white shirt in terms of elements and language. A second year, first semester project.

I am organised and happy being in a routine, but the idea of having someone controlling this, or being stuck in it, scares me. I explored this notion by what the shirt represents to me.

The shirt represents conforming to an institution; in business you are required to dress a certain way, wear the correct shirt. these shirts are full of rules themselves doen to the number of stitches.

Wearing the shirt is a way of preventing individualism by being literally wrapped in rules. To me it feels like an imprisonment of body as well as mind. Because of this, I looked at the business environment as a mental asylum. The garment literally wraps the body like a straight jacket would.


Style and structure
• I chose to link the shirt to the straight jacket, using the rules of the shirt to wrap the wearer.
• Dress made from 2 fronts and 2 sleeves to link to straight jacket which has the arms wrapping around the body.
• Harness made from the straps of the classic shirt; the cuffs and the collars (they constrain the shirt shape) this links to the straps of the straight jacket

Cordelia x