deflowered by Lea
The project deflowered by lea was created as a kind of upgrade of my previous practice. If previous projects were realized only as objects in the gallery space, now my practice has been transformed into wearable pieces and moved to the streets.
Each piece is a work of art that stands alone, and represents one specific topic/taboo. Project is not ment to be a standard fashion collection with S/S or F/W collection or standard dress sizes.The brand is characterized by political, religious and feminist themes, which I connect into a whole with the help of kitsch aesthetics and exaggeration.The topics covered (such as virginity, menstruation and body hair) are presented in a different way than usual – with a little irony and vivid colours pieces attract audience and bring them closer than they are in a way forced to question certain topics that they would rather avoid an/or not discuss or even never see as problematic. In addition to the topics mentioned above, it is necessary to emphasize the issue of the fashion industry, which spreads the idea of a perfect/fashionable body among young people, as I call it “perfect female body”, although we must not forget that boys increasingly have similar psychological and physical health problems as girls (e.g. bulimia). With this brand, I want to spread a positive body image – the inclusion of real bodies that are not retouched. I also do not want to make pieces that are sterotipically male or female. Patterns can be altered so anyone can fell comfortable when wearing them.
The material (fabric) from which the clothes are made is mostly recycled – damaged clothes, second hand textiles, etc. The last step, which I consider to be one of the most important, is the handiwork, which adds a story to the entire work of art. I use various techniques such as embroidery, decorative hand stitches, beading, felting, knitting, chrochet, fabric print etc.
Transsition between gallery space and the street in made by a customer who buys and wears the piece. Person wearing the garment represents the object and the public space – the street becomes the gallery. Thats how the artworks from the collection deflowered by Lea are seen by people who would never come to the gallery.
Photographers:
Janez Janša
Mitja Ilc
Sara Rezar
Lea Culetto