We can have a revolution if we let the night speak - suggestion for a contemporary mourning dress

The concept of a mourning dress as an element of societal empathy is interesting from today’s point of view. In Denmark, we have not kept the tradition of expressing grief through our wardrobes. Mourning is generally a private matter, and for many people linked to loneliness and taboo. Maybe a reintroduction of the concept of a mourning dress would help us break these taboos. If so, what should the mourning dress look like? Which role should it play for the wearer? 

This project investigates grief and mourning from an aesthetic, historical and a social point of view and brings a suggestion for a contemporary mourning dress in a Danish women's wear context.

Inspired by people's personal experiences with and stories of grief and research on traditional textile crafts it is the aim of this project to develop a series of garments that through textile complexity stimulate tactile curiosity and emotional value. Besides being an investigation of grief and mourning today, this project is an ode to craftsmanship and manual textile production.