Digital Illustration, December 21
When tasked with either revisiting a past project or designing a collection of adaptive clothing, I decided to combine the two by revisiting the Marat Prints I created a few years ago in making overalls that wouldn’t irritate my skin. Using the knowledge I’ve accumulated through years of studying textiles and my own 20+ years of experience with eczema I designed Dermis, a collection that employs layering and ventilation through laser-cut details to provide relief for those with severe skin conditions like myself.
I began by doing research into what exactly causes eczema so that I could target those problems as I attempted to provide relief. Among the many mysteries of eczema and its long list of potential triggers, I discovered that many people with eczema are actually allergic to their own sweat (including me), making heat enemy number one in this project. The irritation caused by synthetic fabrics, certain animal fibers, rough or defined textures was something well known to me but confirmed as problematic to others with severely sensitive skin through various interviews, and I set my sights on trying to make the smoothest garments possible, down to the smallest detail of seam or hem treatments as those details often cause the most irritation.
I wanted the intentions, functions, and personal connection of this project to be made as clear as possible in the presentation of this idea to highlight not only how much design of this nature is needed, but also why I’ve put so much effort into designing this. The constant, everyday problems faced by people with chronic skin diseases are not problems faced by an average consumer with normal skin and they have no reason to consider those problems. I wanted the presentation of this idea to not only educate, but by representing this struggle I hope others can feel seen too.
In addition to having small snippets explaining the features of the garments and what their purpose is in regards to the skin, I included several pages explaining the various techniques used to create the garments as well as some essential information gathered from my research. As I was creating this presentation, I kept in mind that certain aspects that are common sense or knowledge to me could be completely foreign to an outsider. I’m very accustomed to medical jargon being used to keep patients in the dark and what a frustrating experience that can be, which is why in trying to provide relief I wanted to be as honest and direct as possible in the language I used in explaining what went into the design process.
A lot of thought, care, and personal attachment went into the making of this project, and one of the reasons I’m so proud of it is that I was able to create something positive and helpful from my trauma of living with eczema. Eczema, especially in adults, isn’t talked about or researched often but that’s been beginning to change in the past few years. New revolutionary medicines, one or two eczema focused brands (like Remedy Wear or Eczema Honey), children’s books, and large long-term studies have been popping up for the first time in my life, and it was incredibly therapeutic to feel like I was part of that tide by addressing a true need and hole in the market.
For now, I won’t be manufacturing this collection, but it is absolutely an idea I return to repeatedly, so who knows what the future holds for Dermis!
