Paper “Wearables” and the Layers of Identity
The paper garments in Echoes of History are more than symbolic clothing—they represent how we carry the influence of the spaces and communities we belong to. Each piece reflects a specific role or setting, from education to agriculture to faith, but they also ask broader questions about how we identify ourselves within those worlds.
We often adopt the appearance, language, and values of the groups we’re part of—sometimes consciously, sometimes without realizing it. These garments echo that process, layered with images and textures drawn from shared histories.
The use of paper, with all its fragility, speaks directly to the delicate and shifting nature of identity. It’s strong enough to hold a shape, but vulnerable to time, pressure, and change—just like the roles we inhabit.
In stitching these forms together, I’m reminded how identity is built not in isolation, but in relationship—with people, places, and memory.