Occasion Dress

Occasion Dress was my entry for the group show ‘Cause Celebre’ organised by the Oobleck collective at the Sailors’ Home, Limerick. Where artists were prompted to showcase works that spoke of controversial issues in society, particularly of class divides.

“Occasion dress was inspired by the artist’s preparation for their graduation ceremony, coming from a humble family she could not afford an outfit that she assumed to be appropriate for the occasion, therefore a bespoke hand-made dress was hurriedly drafted and sewn in a few days leading to it. Despite feeling ill and tired from work and studies the thought of attending in garments deemed unworthy of the occasion were sufficient to muster the energy to continue through the night and into the morning and to meet a standard of “not home-made looking”.

This piece concerned with status anxiety, an anxiety of what others may think and judge from our outward appearance and material possessions. The dress is made of a vintage polyester fabric designed to be made into a kimono, it is covered in faint stains and the acrid smell of mothballs. Origami pieces and geometric shapes crawl from within the dress past its hem depicting the insecurity of the wearer, quietly spilling in spite of zealous containment.”