Rock Rollers- AW 26
“Every wounded creature is forced to metamorphosis.” Franz Kafka.
Inspired by Kafka’s words, I found resonance in the emotional and physical journey of moving to another continent in pursuit of my dreams; a deeply personal reflection on transformation, growth, and the resilience required to rebuild oneself in an unfamiliar world. Exploring metamorphosis as both a literal and symbolic process, led me to the work of artist Hubert Duprat. His collaborations with insect caddisfly larvae—who instinctively construct protective casings from materials found in their surroundings—Struck me as a powerful metaphor for adaptation and the reconstruction of identity in unfamiliar environments.
In my design process, I drew inspiration from the anatomy of the caddisfly larvae and the stages of its metamorphosis to shape the forms and structures of my garments. These ideas were first explored through collages and stand work, allowing me to develop a collection that not only reflects transformation conceptually, but also evolves visually throughout the looks.
I used a variety of materials to reflect this evolution; rigid waxed PVC was used to emulate the hardness of the larvae’s protective casing, while leatherette was treated with ultrasonic welding machine to create texture and raised patterns that mimic the intricate veining of insect wings. In contrast, lighter and shinier fabrics were chosen to evoke the silk spun by the larvae to build their protective tubes—symbolizing the shift from grounded ‘rock rollers’ to airborne creatures.
This contrast in materials helped reinforce the narrative of growth, protection, and eventual liberation. Ironically, through the process of transforming ideas to reality for this collection; I found myself in agreement with Kafka’s message, reminded at each step of the pain/beauty juxtaposition in the process of metamorphosis.