- Where the Sea Remembers -
Category: Apparel
Competitions: Fashion Competition 2026
I have always been fascinated by the myths of the ocean, such as mermaids, selkies and Atlantis. This fascination led me to critically explore the destruction of our oceans caused by industrial fishing, particularly the issue of abandoned fishing nets, which continue to pollute marine ecosystems for centuries. My dress is made from cotton cords, deliberately creating a contrast to synthetic plastic fishing nets that remain in the ocean for generations without decomposing. With this design, I want to show that we, as humans, are part of this damaging cycle ourselves. Plastic pollution enters the food chain, and through the consumption of seafood, microplastics eventually find their way back into our own bodies. My design symbolizes how we ultimately become trapped in the "net" that we have created or ourselves. The under dress, made from cotton muslin, is inspired by the silhouette of a mermaid, a mythical creature that is half human and half fish. It represents the inseparable connection between humanity and the ocean, as well as our dependence on it. Just as waves embrace the shoreline, my design is intended to adapt to every body shape. Thanks to its side lacing, the garment can be adjusted to fit a wide range of sizes. I chose white for the net because it symbolizes new beginnings. It reflects my hope and commitment to a future in which the world's oceans and their inhabitants are treated with greater respect. This project is both a warning and a call for hope, a reminder that protecting the ocean ultimately means protecting ourselves. As environmental activist Paul Watson stated: “If the ocean dies, we die.”
