TIDE

Tide is a fashion collection that explores the cyclical nature of identity, transformation, and the fluid boundary between land and sea. Rooted in a recurring dream in which the designer becomes a dying whale dissolving into the ocean, the collection examines decay not as an ending but as a passage toward rebirth. This dreamlike metamorphosis informs both the concept and the material language of the work, guiding a return to primordial origins and an imagined evolution in reverse. Drawing from the skeletal structures of marine organisms, the silhouettes reference shells, mollusks, and deep-sea anatomy. Spiral pattern cutting mirrors natural growth patterns, creating garments that wrap, coil, and unfurl around the body. The tension between restriction and fluidity becomes a key narrative element: limited arm and leg mobility evokes the shift from land-dwelling creature to aquatic being, while loose, draped layers echo the process of molting and shedding outdated forms. Material experimentation lies at the core of the collection. Mother-of-pearl, sourced from furniture and chandelier industries, are cut and re-engineered into delicate sequins that shimmer like shifting scales. Translucent leathers, produced through specialized bleaching, introduce fragility and lightness, while fish-skin leather adds an organic tactility rooted in sustainable reuse. Laser engraving captures the moment of fabric disintegration, preserving ephemeral textures as permanent surface details. Knitted elements, created with mohair, fishing wires, and natural gemstones, contribute a raw, oceanic softness that contrasts with rigid shell-like structures. Environmental consciousness shapes the project’s material philosophy. Over 80% of leathers are reclaimed from deadstock or industrial scraps, reframing waste as a source of beauty and emphasizing fashion’s potential for transformation beyond aesthetics. Ultimately, TIDE is a narrative of becoming—an exploration of how the body, environment, and imagination intersect in states of change. Each garment embodies the shifting boundaries between human and animal, solidity and dissolution, familiarity and the unknown. Through innovative techniques and poetic symbolism, the collection invites viewers to experience transformation as an ongoing process, mirroring the ocean’s perpetual motion and the fluid evolution of identity itself.