Draped Bra Sculpture

For her Corps ‘12 Wearable Sculptures collection, Max Zara Sterck was inspired by typography. Through experimenting with lines she sought to create her own typography through the body’s natural curves. In Dutch there is a term called ‘korps’ or ‘corps’ which refers to the distance between the bottom of a tail letter (e.g. g) and the top of a tall letter (e.g. t). Taking this concept of spatality as a starting point, Max Zara sought to expand the relationship between the leather and the body. Through experimenting with the placement of lines she was able to create new shapes. By creating pieces that are at once standalone sculptures and wearable pieces the designer encourages the viewer to question the boundaries and crossovers between the world of art and fashion. She hopes to incite a sense of curiosity towards cross-disciplinary exploration. All pieces in this collection are crafted from discarded leather in response to the need to advance sustainable practices in the fashion industry while remaining wholly committed to creative practices. The Draped Bra is a sculptural piece hand-crafted from discarded leather. It seeks to subvert traditional forms of feminine undergarments by bringing the discrete to the fore and by highlighting that one does not need to adhere to a symmetrical body type to be beautiful. Aware of the contradictions inherent to the notion that we can empower others, but attuned to the need for women to be able to embody their inner strength, Max Zara seeks to offer a subtle nod towards female empowerment.