Her Inventions

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To explore Personal Journey, designing a journal felt like the perfect way to encapsulate the intimate details of Mary Phelps Jacob's life and her groundbreaking invention. One of my initial ideas for my master's project was to create a journal that would delve deep into every aspect of her personal and professional life—from her marriage, friendships, and children to her support systems, failures, and moments of self-doubt. This journal would document not just the milestones, but the human side of her journey—the quiet moments of perseverance, the struggles behind her triumph, and the emotional toll of balancing societal expectations with personal ambition. 

It would give readers a unique perspective, allowing them to step into her shoes and experience the challenges she faced as a woman in a world that wasn’t designed for her success. While the concept may seem aspirational and the scope of a journal might feel too limited to capture her full life, I believe it’s a compelling way to bring her story to life. Through this format, her legacy becomes more than just a historical footnote; it transforms into a living narrative that invites readers to connect with her on a deeper, more personal level. This approach bridges the gap between invention and identity, offering an intimate look into the human experience behind the creation of something that would go on to change the lives of women everywhere.

To explore the theme of Society, I began exploring questions like "How did the bra's design evolve over the decades?" and "How has the bra been represented in media, art, and popular culture since its invention?" This research led me to uncover a wealth of humorous and often objectifying advertisements that have surrounded bras throughout history. These ads, combined with images of corsets—how they were made, worn, and perceived—gave me a rich collection of visuals waiting to be utilised.

This is where the concept of creating a cloth book came to life. Through fabric printing, I was able to incorporate these vintage ads and images directly onto the fabric, bringing together both the historical context and societal commentary in a tactile and creative way. The cloth book allowed me to weave these representations into a cohesive narrative, offering a visually engaging and thought-provoking exploration of how undergarments, particularly bras, have shaped and been shaped by society.

To explore Material and Its Uses, one potential project idea was to create a replica of a bra, but I saw an opportunity to infuse it with my cultural and personal experiences. I wanted to design a brassiere that defied traditional expectations. Growing up, there was a constant reminder to cover up—whether it was concealing a visible bra strap or layering spaghetti tops under our clothes in the peak of summer, all to prevent the bra from showing. We would often drape a dupatta over our upper bodies, always mindful of keeping ourselves covered.

What began as an effort to avoid "distracting" men or making them uncomfortable gradually evolved into a constant state of self-surveillance and discomfort for us. The experience of being perpetually monitored, both by ourselves and society, influenced my desire to challenge this notion.

I chose to recreate the bra using plywood, intentionally making a garment that would be impossible to cover up or conceal. This was a deliberate statement piece—a bold commentary on the restrictive societal norms that have long dictated how women should present themselves. By transforming the material and design, the plywood bra became a symbol of defiance, designed to highlight the absurdity of the expectations placed on women to constantly hide or alter their bodies for the comfort of others.