RISD Senior Show 2020
RISD Senior Show 2020
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Caitlin
Chiocchio


There is an uncommon beauty that hides in an enchanted cluster of pink granite islands sitting in a green sound. They hold years of secrets and lore like treasures in a chest. An unmatchable allure that can only be found there, in the Thimble Islands. But alas, it is a beauty that has a prognosis. An approaching doom-- to be swallowed by the tide. My Collection serves to preserve the memory of my home. I want to immortalize the beauty and the memories that I have in these garments, infusing them with the coastal scenery. These memories manifest in the form of garments, paintings, poetry, and many other forms of art. I have combined these handmade manifestations of the sea into my collection, to create a well-rounded representation of the beauty that I long to be forever immersed in.

 

 

 

Collection Film: A Fleeting Beauty

Video

This film acts as a glimpse into my collection, which is inspired by the fleeting beauty of my home. I am endlessly inspired by the transient colors and textures of the coast, which find their way into every painting, poem, garment, and other art piece that I create. This film highlights the details of my looks, and how they interact with their marine surroundings.

Flipping Through My Portfolio

Video: Handmade paper, Rope, Shells, Mixed materials
11" x 8.5"

A very important part of my process is the handmade portfolio which documents the creation of my looks, and all of the other media that I made alongside them. This portfolio encapsulates the entire collection, and is filled with embellishments, drapes, collages, paintings, and other works that capture the essence of my thesis.

Apparel

Mussel Shell Jacket With Painting

Wool, Scrap fabrics, Pearl beads, Metallic thread, Oil paint on canvas

The first look of my collection is a jacket with oversized lapels inspired by the intricate layers, textures, and iridescence of a mussel shell. This jacket is paired with one of my seascape paintings which shares a similar palette, and is strewn in the sea grass as if it is a part of the environment.

Apparel

Oyster Jacket with Poem

Wool, Oyster shells, Handmade paper, Pen on paper (poem)

This jacket-dress hybrid is embellished with many oyster shells to create a delightful wind chime noise when they are in motion. To the right is a poem and a piece of handmade paper created to mimic the colors and textures of Stony Creek Granite, the famed stone that hails from my home.

Apparel

Nautilus Shoulders Dress

Silk, Pen on paper (poem)

With dramatic shoulders inspired by the alluring structure of a nautilus shell, this dress lies in the beach grass alongside a poem which also follows the harmonic form of the nautilus.

Apparel

Mussel Shell Dress

Metallic Jersey, Horsehair interfacing, Hand-dyed rope, Mussel shells

This soft dress emulates the compelling striations on a mussel shell, and is adorned with real mussels plucked from my backyard, dangling off of hand dyed rope.

Apparel

Whelk Sleeve Dress

Recycled curtain material, Fabric scraps

Inspired by the spiny silhouette of a whelk shell, a beachcomber’s delight, the powerful sleeves on this dress are juxtaposed by soft, ephemeral tendrils.

Apparel

Whelk Sleeve Detail

Recycled curtain, Fabric scraps, Pen on paper

This shot shows the details of the whelk sleeves, the signature curvature along with the seaweed like strands.

Apparel

Page from Portfolio

Muslin, Paper, Masking tape

This is a page from my handmade book that serves as my portfolio, where the fabric shell detail mimics the drapes I created of my nautilus shell shoulder look.

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