TESSELLATE

Abstract

This project involved designing and fabricating an original, meticulously crafted full-body wearable art costume for professional fashion models, intended for a stage theatre fashion show. The design adhered to the categories and rules of the WOW (World of Wearable Art) 2018 International Design Competition, one of the world’s most prestigious platforms for wearable art.

The resulting costume, titled Tessellate, drew inspiration from NASA’s research into origami-folding space components. It featured highly geometric, sharp lines in the folded fabric and a celestial color scheme. The headpiece, top, and skirt were composed of various origami folds interconnected by their tessellating patterns, creating a striking and cohesive design.

The project explored a wide range of fabrication techniques and finishing processes, including colorizing, texturing, and polishing, alongside the integration of diverse materials such as textiles, fabrics, leather, and other soft, flexible materials that conform to the body. It combined traditional hand-crafting methods with advanced digital tools, including 3D modeling and computational design processes.