I struggle with being an independent, powerful, and confident woman. I have been feeling insecure for 23 years. I feel unsure of myself constantly which leads me to ask others for their opinion and rely heavily on them.
As a result of modernity, today, gender roles are changing, having an effect on the life around us. In 1950, about one in three women participated in the labor force. Now, more than 11.6 million firms are owned by women. The world has changed, and I have a chance. I’ve created this collection to inspire myself, others alike and to be one step further to becoming a fully independent and confident woman.
The main source of inspiration came from a community of female divers in Jeju, a Korean province, known as Haenyeo. They go diving about 10 meters under the sea to gather seafood for up to seven hours a day without the help of oxygen masks. They are raw in the sense that they rely on their knowledge of the sea and marine life and the power of their own bodies, rather than advanced diving equipment. Their independent spirit, iron will and determination gave me the initial inspiration for this collection. Personally, Haenyeo are a great motivation and muse that encourages me to discover the strength in being raw.
September 21st is Headyeo day. It inspired the prints designs for the collection. The circular elements are inspired by equipment used by Haenyeo called Taewak, which is the round object made out of Styrofoam and they use to rely their body in the sea. Like Taewak, the circular utility pockets are functional and have a purpose in this collection. The use of mess was inspired from the net they carry around to collect harvest. I used nude fabrics to represent skin, the rawest form of humans, dark charcoal from their body suit, and pink and red from raw food. Prints are from textures of different raw meat; salmon, beef, catfish etc.
