The mind is a powerful place, an organic engine, processing and grinding infinite amount of ideas and feelings. In 2014, I saw the cover of the latest National Geographic Issue. It had a feature on the system called “Brain mapping”. It showed a graphic of a brain lit up in neon, scribbles of colorful lines intersecting and flailing in every direction. I was intrigued. Immediately, I thought, ‘How do I integrate this into fashion?’ Brainstorm takes a fresh look at how the brain works. Brain mapping, or in essence, mind-reading, is when scientists use chemicals to reveal an interlocking web that shows how neurons interact with each other, how memories are formed. Brain mapping is a breakthrough that reveals the secrets of the mind. After certain chemicals are used, the MRIs show a spectrum of luminescent colors, with each color showing how one part of the brain interacts with the other. Brain activity can also be measured by the intensity of the color. Memories physically imprint themselves into the brain. Different colors represent different types of information being transferred. For example, pink and orange are responsible for transmitting language signals.
The ultra-saturated colors shown in the brain mapping make up the color story for the trims and details found in the collection. The actual natural appearance of the brain, a brief range of steel grays and lavenders, make up the remaining structures of the garments. The texture of the trims and details are also taken from the MRI photos, the fibers of the brain appearing like a network of fringe. The wrinkly exterior of the brain is also used in surface design on select fabric choices. Another surface detail is the radial web of neurons spurring from the center of the brain. The nerve endings are shown in the beading details. Emulating the movement in each erratic Brain scan is critical. Garments made in this collection, have fabrics that were selected for how well they can move!