Amilie St-Louis

My primary goal for this project was to bring together all the knowledge and skills I had acquired from my studies in Plastic Arts and Fashion Design. After extensive research and planning, I decided to create a portable sculpture—a dress constructed primarily from monkey bars, plastic flowers, and wax. This piece serves as a reflection of my artistic journey, encapsulating my growth from 17 years old in the arts to my final project in fashion design at 22.

This sculpture symbolizes the experience of depression and the long, arduous path one must take to overcome it. The wax, a heavy and oppressive material, represents the weight of depression and how it can entrap everything in its texture. In contrast, the flowers, bright and colorful, symbolize joy and personal growth. While they are partially crushed by the wax, they remain visible—signifying resilience and the ability to bloom despite hardship.

For the structure, I used monkey bars and iron wire to hold everything together, reinforcing it with shining varnish sheets inside the dress. These sheets not only strengthen the structure but also protect the wearer from the metal while making it easier to adhere the wax. Additionally, I incorporated two front hinges to allow the dress to open.

This project is more than a fashion piece—it is a statement of perseverance and transformation, merging sculpture with wearable art.