Lauren Murphy, Workwear For Women With Endometriosis
Transcript
The target market for Lauren’s punk-inspired Workwear for Women with Endometriosis is the 1 in 15 women living with endometriosis. It consists of a sleeveless top with a collarbone-skimming neckline made from contrasting grey tartan, black and indigo blue fabrics, and slashed in front with an asymmetric diagonal zip. A tartan tie at the back allows the garment’s waist to be ‘cinched’ in. A vertically pleated hem in indigo creates a peplum effect at the waist.
The detachable ankle-length pants feature chaps-like exterior grey tartan (with kick pleats) and a completing black fabric. A patch pocket in the same indigo blue used in the top sits at the left hip, and at the right hip is an inserted zipped pocket. A second, purely decorative zip runs horizontally across the right at the ribs.
The interior of the trousers’ waist contains removable features, developed using 3D printing, to mimic the sensation of massage tools to reduce abdominal pain through sensory redirection. At the front, two squares of fabric, positioned to face the abdomen can be equipped with button-on weighted pads, each covered win inwards-facing conical protrusions. Another weighted patch can be buttoned onto the centre-back of the waistband to apply pressure and support to the lower back.
The belt-buckles, also rendered through 3D printing, accommodate fluctuating body size, ensuring wearer comfort throughout the day. The easy to disassemble design allows customisation, rendering the design user-focused and combining style with functionality.
The prototype for this garment is also on display elsewhere in the exhibition. Made in calico, the prototype is covered in purple and red markings that indicate edits to be made (such as “move zip 3cm”; “extend down 4cm”; “darts too low”) and hints at what’s to come in the final design. In the prototype, what becomes an asymmetric zip on the top is vertical. The prototype also shows the creator trialling with a ruffle hem on the top (ultimately opting for the pleats displayed on the final garment).