37 Rolls
113 Hours
Inspiration
I always felt like I should be normal, fit in, and not be weird, even when I needed to stand out. I never got a chance to feel special; I didn't have a quinceanera, a sweet sixteen, or any really big celebration, so I decided to make a dress that I could love and be proud of. I originally planned my dress around two dresses I really liked but they didn't quite feel like me. I based my dress on my favorite flower, orchids, and incorporated Japanese inspired elements. Both owning orchids and visiting Japan have been big dreams of mine, they are often the few things that feel true about me. I wanted to bring both of those inspirations together in a way that felt personal to me.
For this dress I made around one hundred orchids, each consisting of three separate pieces. On some flowers, I carefully cut thin strips of duct tape to create the natural lines and details of the petals, while on others I colored them in with marker.
The dress took a lot of planning and redos, but in the end I created an elegant piece of artwork I am proud of. It gave me the chance to express myself, create something completely my own, and let myself stand out in a way I had always wanted to.