H U M A N F O R M
Daisy May Collingridge's "squishy" flesh suits quash the idea of an ideal body type
“Textile artist Daisy May Collingridge has designed a family of fleshy, fabric bodysuits as "a joyful representation of the human form". Dubbed The Squishies, the bodysuits feature overlapping layers of skin-like rolls that have been hand-stitched from jersey and cotton. Fillings made of wadding, beanbag beans and sand are used to provide different weights and textures.”
“Each piece looks like a playful take on the bodies seen in muscular anatomy diagrams. Some boast shades of muted pink, purple and blue, while others feature more vibrant tones of orange and yellow paired with beige hues."For me the suits are a joyful representation of the human form, but with fantasy elements" Collingridge told Dezeen. "They are bodily, they celebrate flesh, form and movement.""Instead of sculpting with stone or marble, sculpting with fabric is more tactile, more life-like," she added. "Fabric is soft, warm and will not last forever, just like people."
The Central Saint Martins graduate designed the suits as a celebration of the human body, in all its forms."They neither promote or demote one body type," she said. "The idea that there even is an 'ideal body' is ridiculous.""They, just like people, have their own individual characters and, just like people, some people will be repelled by them whilst others will adore them."”
“Collingridge also gives each suit its own name – the current family consists of Burt, Hilary, Clive and Dave – and imagines each one as having its own character.The sculptures can be displayed as static items or can be worn for "a more lifelike performance". Designed to respond to movement, she envisions them being used in dance or film.
Each bespoke piece took around three months to create, and is the result of combining free machine quilting with the trapunto technique, mixed with some "crazy patchwork". Free machine quilting sees two or more layers of fabric sandwiched together with stitching, while trapunto requires adding additional batting or stuffing from the underside to create a rounder effect.”
