#david siferd

[bearafurnalia]

project:

GODDESS FALL 2016 (clothing) 

designer / model:

1) David Siferd & Edo / Mike Soto

2) David Siferd & Edo / Mike Soto

3) David Siferd & Edo / Mike Soto

4) David Siferd & Edo / Mike Soto

5) David Siferd & Edo / Mike Soto

[isstyle]

An interesting streetwear company that started following me one day on Instagram (follow @Alecr), GODDESS designs unisex clothing with graphics and pieces that have an on going dialogue with masculinity, gender identity and Japanese style-multimedia art. Founded in 2013 by designer David Siferd, "GODDESS seeks to break barriers of stereotype and biases and provide a means of individual expression through the use of clothing."

The first collection of theirs that I saw was the Summer 2014 BEAUTIFUL BRO run. It features loud prints with quotes like "too hot to handle," "gainer" and "bro" in sequined and sparkle fonts which are juxtaposed against tribal patterns and monochromatic pieces. Crop tops, densely patterned briefs, and skirts are the standouts of the collection, and I quite like the graphic tees for their visual confusion (images of hulking men then superimposed by flowers, neon-japanese characters and English text)

Their newest line, a S/S 2015 collection entitled ANGYLS, is modeled by men in drag and has a much warmer color palette. Reflective oranges, pinks and hot blues in sheers and textured fabrics gives a sort of Japanese-school girl vibe that is furthered by the vibrantly colored hair styling.

While clearly not for the masses, Sifred is doing something very cool and very pure. Directional and a comment on our mixed-media lives and social gender binarism, there is sense of estrangement and tension created through the homoerotic and sugary-sweet imagery. At a glance the images of bulging shirtless men are easily mistaken as phallic silhouettes, lost in cotton-candy pinks and neon-lettering. From a distance the fire pattern tribal skirt appears to be any other athletic shorts inspired by MMA or the likes.

A refreshing reprieve from the dull-roar of self-perpetuating streetwear styles, I look forward to watching GODDESS grow. It is very clearly an independent endeavor coming from an earnest place of expression and exploration through fashion and dress.

Top three images are from BEAUTIFUL BRO, bottom three from ANGYL.