Creative Design: Professional

The Morbid Beauty of Fungi

---

Abstract

The purpose of this design is to create garments inspired by fungi using freestanding embroideries to reflect the beauty of fungi and their connectivity to all life on Earth. In this project, I digitized image of fungi, and the digitized fungi shapes were embroidered on a water-soluble stabilizer, soaked in water, and dried to create freestanding embroideries. The free standing embroideries were hand-sewn onto the dress. The finished dress provides cohesiveness in the overall garment design by expressing the beauty of fungi and conveying the freestanding embroideries. I emphasized the beauty of fungi with bright colors and 3D shapes using freestanding embroidery techniques. By using a cork fabric, I was able to express the idea of nature and the connectivity of all life. Furthermore, the experimental trial and error process was valuable as the final freestanding fungi embroideries are enchanting and strong enough to hold the 3D shape of the fungi. 

Keywords: fungi, freestanding embroidery, nature

How to Cite:

Lee, J., (2022) “The Morbid Beauty of Fungi”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 78(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.13502