This is a couple of months old by now, but I just got it back. Better late than never.

This was an assignment for my Life Drawing II class. We were required to design some kind of garment (any kind). Even though it was referred to as the "Project Runway"-project, the aesthetic appeal of the garment didn't really matter. The most important aspect was the concept behind it. Oh yeah, and we only had to draw it--we weren't required to make a prototype, so we were allowed to "use" whatever impossible materials our hearts desired (like Rocket Fuel...lol).

I really couldn't come up with anything particularly creative because I was crunched for time, so I decided to create a garment than combined characteristics from various traditional Asian garments to create one big generalized "Asian costume/dress." Its supposed to reference naivety and ignorance towards Asians and Asian Stereotypes (because even if I'm Korean or if my Friend is a Filipina, we all get pigeon-holed as "Chinese" or "Japanese" because they're apparently the same thing).

Since it takes a negative view on a topic (in this case, prejudice/racism/stereotypes), it's kind of odd that the garment is in fact visually appealing. But the reason why I didn't conscientiously make it "ugly" was because of the specific stereotype that "All Asians are Beautiful."

Lol. I know I might sound psychotic for disliking a "positive" stereotype, but the fact of the matter is that a stereotype is still a stereotype, and a stereotype is a judgement on an entire group of people. And not only that, but I know I'm not the only Asian person who feels singled out or pressured by an expectation when someone says "Asians are so pretty." Because if "All Asians are pretty," and I'm not, then that obviously makes me a freak of nature.

Garments I based the design off of:

Korean Hanbok (jacket and sleeves, which are attached in the traditional hanbok)
Japanese Kimono (the bottom/skirt)
Indian Sari (the "wrap"--used to replace the belt/obi tied around the Kimono)
Chinese Qipao/Cheongsam (the "Mandarin" collar poking up beneath the Hanbok jacket)
And last, but not least, the Chinese Hanfu, which both Kimono and Hanbok derived from.

Project Runway-->roperty of BravoTv, y'all.