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I am happy to present this new collaboration work with a wonderful designer @holichicbymegha whom I discovered at the @flyingsolonyc fashion show. The outfits shown triggered many ideas, and this work materialized.
I like that the outfit worn by a model elevates and connects ethnic and cultural differences between the Western and South Asian cultures and underlines interconnectedness between male and female energies as well as cultural synergies.
I was thinking about the perception of masculinity and femininity as well as sexual freedoms when i worked on this - ethnic elements of clothing on a model symbolize acceptance and respect of traditions, as well as peacefulness, traditionally associated with the female roles in the South Asian cultures. But the design combines ethnic fit mixed with blue jeans which adds a projection of a search for a comfort, as well as a touch of assertiveness, and serves as a daring statement - this lady is choosing self-comfort and liberation, and yet a degree of multiculturalism, as i see it.
This collaborative design with blue jeans also projects that this lady will not only be caring, respectful of traditions, and to a degree non-confrontational, but also symbolizes that she can also stand up for herself, and can easily be aggressive and assertive as well as sexually unoppressed. She is leading an elephant through the streets of Manhattan - a giant metropolis, and a symbol of an industry and a dream enjoined, and that vision symbolizes the new era of acceptance and inclusivity, as well as a female energy overpowering fierce powerful forces.
A cowboy (a traditional projection of male masculinity in the West, often toxic, no nonsense approach, assertiveness) mounted on an elephant that is being walked on by the girl, is a symbol of masculinity curbed, gender roles reversed, and yet still female and male energies combined and interconnected, supplementing of each other.
Check out @holichicbymegha page for more awesome designs!
#nft #nfts #manhattan #art #americanart #cityscape #indianfusion #indianculture #collabo #holichicbymegha #flyingsolo
