For my final project, I decided to create a hair jewelry. I call it “Hippiconf”. This latter is constructed from the two french terms : Hippie (hippy) and Confinement (confinement). In fact, I was inspired by two moments : the sixties and the actual lockdown. I think that nowadays, hippies’ ideas are coming back. More and more people are looking for a more simple life, close to nature, and where good relationships are the foundations of everything. I also watched the series “Why women killed” and I was largely inspired by the main character who is living in the 60’s. I loved her look ! 

I directly thought that I had to do something on the top of my head in order to let people see it on zoom. Indeed, no other form of communication was possible during lockdown. My first idea was a simple scrunchy but that was not working as it was at the back of my head and people could not see it. I had to communicate information about myself. In that sense, I wanted to design something that represents me, but also differs from what I usually wear in the street. I wanted to become someone else and change a little bit, as it is one of the aims of wearing jewels and I considered the last months as a period full of new opportunities and a source of originality. Then, the lockdown was the perfect moment to try new things, even the strangest. I have adopted new habits such as washing my hair less often. This is why it could look sometimes quite dirty, in particular on zoom. I decided to create something that would hide my hair in order to not let people see my hair through the screen.

I was inspired by some quilt creators that I found when I was looking for ideas. For example, the artist Janet Twinn is used to creating very colorful patchwork inspired by nature and flowers. I liked how she thinks that each color has its own significance. Moreover, I wanted to link the project to my personality. In that way, I chose colorful fabrics with a lot of flowers, as I am fond of that kind of pattern. The style is flamboyant and very original, as people sometimes describe me. I like it because it is colorful, creative, funny and interactive. However, this project is also different from my streetwear ; I would not wear this hair band in the street. In fact, it is oversized  and conspicuous. Then, I also wanted to create a connection between people and me on zoom. So, even if the scene takes place online, people can hear the sound of bells and shells. When I talk, the two long parts are moving and become interactive. 

I chose period materials (the fabrics come from the sixties) in order to confer my jewel the look of the hippies. Moreover, I sewed it as a patchwork to make it look like a blanket. In fact, during the lockdown, I spent a lot of time on the sofa, watching TV, reading books… I wanted the jewel to be comfortable too and the fabrics are very soft. I designed really long parts that are hanging down and moving with my long hair. In fact, it is “playing” with it. The two “accessories”  (the shells and the bubble) are not at the same height. My wish was to create a little disproportionality in order to make people look at it. It can also refer to my special personality.  

Twinn, Janet. Colors in Art Quilts. (2011).