JEAN TRENCH
DECEMBER 2021
The premise of this project stemmed from research into Cristobal Balenciaga. We were pushed to research the historical work of this great designer, and to be inspired by his style of draping and creation of volumes. I decided to take inspiration from his work in layering and creating large-shaped coats. My design is two coats layered, each showing the different faces of denim. I wanted to use the trench coat as an archetype reference to build from. The coats have elements based off of the trench coat, while referencing Balenciaga through the shape. Cristobal Balenciaga’s original designs and shapes were all based around the body, particularly the shoulders and hips. Unlike other designers at the time, Balenciaga worked with different types of models for their range of body types. Each body type led to the garment being worn slightly differently because of the shape it created on each individual person. For my piece, I wanted to create a garment that focuses on the relationship you have individually with your body. I designed a piece that combined and abstracted the classic trench coat into something that the wearer could style however they were comfortable with. The coat encapsulates the body, but also has the liberty to be changed to show more of the wearer’s body if wanted. The deconstructed trench coat combines a structured and classic design with the ideas of freedom and self confidence, all based on how the wearer decides they feel in the moment. In a world focused on physical looks, being able to remove the gaze solely from the body and refocus our attention and energy on something other than the way we look, is the basis for being comfortable with who we are.