Alienated

An evening wear collection about the power of embracing ostracism, interpreted through the visual language of H.R. Giger’s Alien

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Completed Chest Piece

This collection is all about alienation, non-conformity, and the power and confidence that comes with breaking from the norm.

I took a literal route to interpreting alienation by researching the work of H.R. Giger, specifically his work on the movie Alien. Inspired by the ridged textures indicative of Giger’s biomechanical style and reminiscent of alien appendages, I created a coiled neck and chest piece of rope and embroidery floss coated in pvc. This collection was a return to embracing my own non-conformity and I used this collection to remind myself of the root of my own alienation and how I’ve transformed that into a tool of personal power.

Illustration of Intended Design, with and without cape

I thought there was no better area to explore difference and nonconformity than evening wear because of the power that trends and unspoken dress codes still hold in this area.

On a red carpet, most everyone looks the same and few people stand out for doing something individual; and those that do something different are looked at like they have three heads. I despise that conformity and instead of trying to fit the mold, I believe one should highlight and embrace their uniqueness. Being shunned for being different is a power dynamic that is easily turned on its head: when you embrace the thing that people may dislike in you and make it clear you have no intention of following their rules, they don’t know what to make of you and thus lose all power over you. I feel there is a huge opportunity among evening wear events for that form of individual rebellion and power. Dressing in a visual style that makes people do a double take or raise an eyebrow in disdain is the ultimate expression of this. In choosing for people to look at you as different, you have taken that power into your own hands and nothing feels better. I wanted to communicate that feeling of power that comes from embracing alienation in this collection by not only creating pieces that will set the wearer apart as an individual, but also visually represent the experience of proud alienation.

3D Process

My starting point was coiling, a sculptural weaving technique where the base is stacked rows of a continuing line woven together through wrapping. The constriction of the bound structure around the body is my way to convey the anxiety and physical tenseness of formal situations by creating that body response through fit on the model, which can also inspire sympathy responses from viewers. I wanted the piece to look weird and alien while I was designing, and rewatching Alien reignited my interest in the work of H.R. Giger. The texture of his biomechanical work provided the inspiration for the visual appearance of the coiled structure, specifically the ridged texture on fluid forms that is reminiscent of pvc tubing or the ridges on an earthworm. Giger’s illustrations of regal female biomechanoids were a huge inspiration for the collection, these characters exude power and intrigue, danger and sex appeal. These figures seemed to me to be the perfect embodiment of the powerful woman who rejects prescribed notions and others perceptions of her; she is a queen mother, a femme fatale, and intoxicatingly intriguing.

After experimenting with different types of wiring, tubing, and finishes, I settled on using embroidery floss wrapped around laundry line to create ridges of texture, which was then dipped in liquid PVC for color, luster, and to mimic materials used by Giger.

Why H.R. Giger?

I am mainly drawn to Giger for not only his truly unique and macabre style, but for the subject matter of his work. He primarily draws inspiration from his own fears, nightmares, and anxieties: his work is a continuation of his subconscious. Giger’s dark style leads many to assume these are dark fantasies, but it is his representation of the thoughts and fears that consume us all. I do much of the same in my work: it is an expression of what is occupying my subconscious with the hope that others will understand and possibly relate to my message. Giger is also proud of the darkness of his work, he has no fear of creating a bad impression or upsetting those who may not understand his work, and this resonates with me and the way this collection is about being proud of the unconventionality that others are horrified by. Aliens are the perfect metaphor for this situation that balances ostracism and power, and Giger truly understands what it is about aliens that terrifies us while also intriguing us. Aliens serve as a metaphor for our fears of what is different than us and we fear their domination of our world as we fear the changing of our cultural norms; yet there is a trope of aliens gaining power or control by using sex as a weapon, which shows that we are equally terrified and attracted to the concept of what is different than us. The aim of this collection is to give the wearer the power of those irresistible alien queens.

Further Watching

H.R. Giger’s work on the movie Alien was my starting point for the inspiration of this collection, but here are a few more movies that informed my work and help to contextualize the collection.

Alien (1979)

This is the movie the collection uses as primary reference. Giger’s style can be seen throughout the film but pay special attention to anything relating to the Alien, particularly the alien planet in the beginning of the film and any shots of the Alien itself, as that is where Giger’s work shines. The textures and lines of the aliens are the most visually striking part of the film, and the craftsmanship of the movie is the largest inspiration for this collection

Aliens (1986)

The sequel to Alien, though HR Giger did not work on this movie— they didn’t tell him it was happening. The tone of this movie is different from the first in that it lacks the same magnetic suspense, but there are more shots of the alien world designed by Giger and although creative liberties are taken, the movie is still heavily based on Giger’s work. Without giving anything away, the end of the movie is the most important part visually, especially the maternal theme of the movie reaching its climax.

The Thing (1980)

In my opinion, the best alien movie ever made. The effects are incredible, there is a perfect balance struck between seeing the alien and the suspense of not seeing anything, and it really speaks to the feelings of distrust and paranoia in isolation. It is not for the faint of heart as it is quite a bit gorey in a more realistic way than Alien is, and the suspense of the plot is truly terrifying. I was inspired by the wrapping tendrils of the Thing transforming in designing the coiled forms.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978)

The original Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) was a thinly veiled analogy for the Red Scare. While 1950’s conformist ideas highlight the ideas of this collection, I prefer the remake because it is more about our general fears of those who are different than us even if they look and act normal enough. This movie can be graphic at parts, but it is mostly an “unseen enemy” movie relying on suspense and paranoia, though I was very inspired by some of these graphic scenes where the aliens are taking a body and the cocoon like forms.

Carrie (1976)

This is probably my all time favorite horror movie, and I heavily relate to Carrie herself and how she was ostracized at school and isolated at home. If there’s a movie about the effects of alienation, this is it. My obsession with this movie has definitely been an outlet for my dislike of formal events, and Carrie’s alienation is the type of ostracism I’m referring to in my concept. I pay homage to Carrie’s prom dress through the silhouette of the designs in this collection.

Mars Attacks! (1996)

This movie is not good, in fact it’s downright stupid, and definitely not a horror movie. But it is a fun approach to the aliens taking over the world trope, really capturing the fun of rooting for the aliens because everyone on Earth is just so stupid. The only redeeming quality of this movie is the Martian Girl, played by Lisa Marie. She really is a perfect caricaturization of the sexy alien girl using sex as a weapon, and the way she moves is just incredible. If this collection were to ever walk down a runway I’d love for them to move in the way she does.