THE SHADDING

THE SHEDDING — a project investigating the liminal states of the human body and its metamorphoses through garment architecture.Internal changes and the shedding of societal expectations gradually alter external contours. The moment the familiar human shell is discarded and a primal, predatory nature—that of a reptile—awakens in the woman forms a new silhouette, which becomes the starting point for developing the garment’s construction.The foundation of this project is a coat-dress designed to accommodate this transitional anatomy. Its patterns were developed using draping techniques, focusing on the liminality and boundary state of the figure: the body is already losing its strict anthropomorphic outlines but has not yet transformed into a pure animal form. The shifting of structural lines, the introduction of spine-like seams, and the redistribution of volume in the shoulder area (mimicking a cobra hood and a lizard’s cloak) allow the dense, semi-transparent latex to adapt to the body’s new posture, transforming the clothing into a protective exoskeleton. Signature buttons shaped like the letter S secure the central axis, completing the graphic of this new form.THE SHEDDING views the departure from the conventional human silhouette not as a loss of form, but as an opportunity to discover new structural solutions and create a high-margin product at the intersection of conceptual Schiaparelli couture and premium retail.

• Silhouette: A streamlined, sculptural form achieved by stretching and rigidly fixing the material onto a hidden internal framework—a technique referencing monumental exoskeletons and the defensive anatomy of the royal cobra and iguana. • Materials: Dense, semi-transparent latex in an amber-sand tone (resembling rejuvenated, damp skin post-shedding), creating hypnotic glossy highlights that contrast with the matte texture of the human body. • Technique: Deep embossing mimicking the scales of snakes and lizards, integrated into the latex surface, combined with the asymmetrical peeling of a fan-like collar and graphic buttons shaped like the iconic letter S, which accentuate the garment’s central axis. • Color: Natural amber, smoky sand, with semi-transparent layers visible through them; a glossy lacquered finish acts as the primary visual dominant.

The Shedding project successfully demonstrates that the radical couture surrealism of the Schiaparelli house can be effectively adapted to the demands of the modern premium market. The Cobra Coat dress-coat shows the perfect balance between a complex artistic concept of liminality and a transparent, calculated production economy. By shifting the focus from traditional textiles to innovative liquid latex technology, it was possible to create a unique, high-value visual product without complicating the basic silhouette-envelope pattern. Integrating reptilian defensive anatomy directly into the cut via a system of concealed adhesive frameworks transforms the garment into a collectible art object. This is a statement piece of a new generation, conveying a manifesto of sovereign, predatory femininity. With an optimized technical specification, low base material costs, and high margin, The Cobra Coat is an investment-attractive product. The project is fully ready for a pilot launch under the HSE Art and Design School grant and for commercial realization on leading conceptual retail platforms.