Fashion Deconstruction

Deconstruction- Leo S.

The definition of deconstruction must begin with the history of how it came to be. But it is also imperative to note that although deconstruction came out of a certain time and place in history, there have been great efforts taken to ensure that ‘deconstructivism’ does not ever become a stake in history. The idea of deconstruction will continue to evolve and carry out through the decades while maintaining a firm reminder of its roots. Philosopher Derrida focuses his attention within deconstruction to the oppositions of speech and writing. Derrida finds that, “…the interiority, the fullness, of speech relies on the existence of an exterior, empty representation- the alphabet” (Lupton 12). He finds that speech and writing have a close relationship, but contain a gap of reality. The same as speech cannot fully reflect reality, writing cannot fully reflect speech. Deconstruction can be the breaking apart, looking at the inert endless possibilities of something, it can be messy, and in essence is the process of questioning. Architects, designers, philosophers, and others took it upon themselves to question the formal structures of their fields.

Deconstruction in our design world becomes the breaking down of visual parts. It can include typography, images, words, font, spacing, layout and others. We put these parts back together in unusual ways to create a more visually and intellectually stimulating image. Every piece is important in deconstruction although the end result can appear cluttered. Clutter and chaos can also play important roles in creating stimulus.

The images I chose demonstrate how deconstruction bled into other areas of culture beyond what was thought of as the deconstructionist realms. These images show how deconstruction emerged in the fashion world as well. At first, deconstruction in fashion was the taking apart of fabric, textiles, and reattaching them and sewing them in nonconventional ways during the late 1980’s. But as shown in the ballerina style Comme de Garcon outfit from 2006, it also plays on the opposing aesthetics. The use of a hard, black, striking top with a soft, off pink bottom and shoes. This reaction was directly stemmed from Derrida’s writings on deconstruction and I think they are primary candidates for how the philosophy on deconstruction can transcend into other areas of our culture.