The closest thing to us

The closest thing to us (2022)

In a world increasingly dominated by the need to present an idealized self, clothing has become a powerful tool for constructing and reconstructing our identities. My work delves into this intricate relationship, exploring how we use fashion to craft a more perfect version of ourselves, one that aligns with societal expectations and the curated lives we present on social media. In the quest for an ideal image, clothing serves as both a mask and a mirror, reflecting not just who we are, but who we aspire to be.

This relentless pursuit of a flawless identity fosters a continuous cycle of change, where the self is never fully realized but constantly reimagined. The ever-shifting nature of fashion enables us to experiment with different personas, yet this freedom often leads to an inauthentic existence. For many, clothing becomes a shield, a way to hide from the fear of judgment and the vulnerability that comes with showing one’s true self. The layers of fabric and accessories we adorn ourselves with are not just superficial—they are the physical manifestation of our internal struggle between authenticity and perfection.

In my artwork, I use clothing as a symbol of this ongoing identity construction, where each piece of fabric represents the fragments of self that we piece together in our daily lives. The garments in my compositions are not merely fashion statements; they are the superstructures of our desired identities, spaces we inhabit as we strive to align the real with the ideal.

Fast fashion, with its promise of instant transformation, plays a significant role in this dynamic. In 2021, according to Google, the top trending fashion brands among the youngest US consumers were all fast fashion companies. These brands cater to the demand for rapid identity shifts, offering the latest trends at affordable prices. However, this convenience comes with a hidden cost, both to the environment and to our sense of self. The disposability of fast fashion mirrors the fleeting nature of the identities we construct through it, leaving us in a perpetual state of change without ever achieving true self-discovery.