Heather Anderson

My project Animal Instincts is a satirical look at the need for women to constantly protect themselves from others. Using leather I created body armour for women which protects the wearer by forming a barrier around them. I took inspiration from Victorian satirical cartoons which mocked women's fashion trends by over exaggerating the style and drawing comparisons to animals. I chose to oppose the sexist tones in these caricatures by creating my own version, instead combining features from different animals to create a powerful armour which protects, intimidates and empowers. For this project I chose to work with leather, utilising its structural properties and durable nature. By choosing a thick cowhide leather I was able to create a 3d structure which builds out from the body. The rigidity of the leather allows it to hold its shape and form a barrier. I focused on sustainability by using discarded materials that otherwise would have gone to waste. The main leather is deadstock which was donated to my university. For my taped seams I used scrap leathers left over from previous students' projects. To improve the functionality of my garment I added moveable elements allowing the piece to be worn around the body, thus increasing wearability. My garment envisions a world where women need armour to be protected, and this piece provides a functional, durable armour which not only protects the wearer but empowers them as well.