Polymorph by Katya Usvitsky is an art exhibit centered around pantyhose. Instead of covering the gorgeous gams of girls (or guys, for that matter), these stockings have been warped and manipulated into unrecognizable sculptures. Bulging with balls of fiber-stuffed nylon, the pieces symbolize the malleability of the female form. The artist writes, "As women we are expected to take on many shapes—partners, lovers, workers, mothers."
Each bumpy piece in the series Polymorph by Katya Usvitsky were hand-roll and -stuffed, then each section was sewn off to create the resulting clusters. This results in the opposite of what pantyhose were created to do. Usvitsky observes that it is "meant to smooth and restrict, giving the skin a uniform 'nude' look without the reality of bumps and veins."
Bulging Pantyhose Sculptures
Polymorph by Katya Usvitsky Comments on the Malleability of Women
Trend Themes
1. Body Positivity Art - The trend of using art to challenge traditional beauty standards and promote body positivity, creating an opportunity for companies to collaborate with artists to create meaningful campaigns.
2. Upcycling Fashion - The trend of repurposing unused materials to create unique and environmentally sustainable fashion pieces, creating an opportunity for textile companies to innovate in eco-friendly fashion production.
3. Fiber Sculptures - The trend of using unconventional materials, such as pantyhose, to create intricate fiber sculptures, creating an opportunity for art and design companies to explore new materials and techniques in their work.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion - The fashion industry can incorporate the idea of upcycling in their production by creating clothing that uses unconventional materials instead of wasting them.
2. Art - Artists can use the body positivity movement as inspiration to create thought-provoking and meaningful pieces that address societal beauty standards.
3. Textile Production - Textile companies can explore eco-friendly production methods and create new textiles that are more sustainable and upcycled.