OLIVIA TERASE BABA

Olivia Baba is inspired by the universality and interdisciplinary nature of fashion. From sewing doll clothes at age seven to later researching the chemistry of natural dyes, Baba recognizes fashion’s role at the intersection of math, science, art, commerciality, modernity, and history, making it a vehicle to innovate and promote inclusivity and sustainability.

Lady Like

Lady Like seeks to recontextualize female shame by exposing the challenges of the female experience and empowering women as they find strength. Unconventional and attractive elements meld to create elegant, refined looks that describe both the pain and pleasure of being a woman.

Damaged nerves are evoked through texture and radiating lines, images of pain, and eroding skin. The asymmetry and restrictive silhouettes reference the isolation, powerlessness, and confusion associated with chronic pain, health issues, and the female experience. Dyed fabric, felt, pleats, and gathers are strategically placed across the body to turn the unusual, often overlooked body parts into focal points. These techniques converge with light, feminine silhouettes and materials to exemplify beauty despite the pain.

Photo by Patrick Lanham