Soft Spikes Unveiled: Navigating Hostile Space

The genesis of my project, titled ‘ The Making of You’, commenced with exploring the concept of beauty and decay in an unfamiliar botanical specimen known as ‘Eryngium.‘ This discovery took place during my holiday at Greenhill Gardens. Eryngium resembles a thistle-like plant with uprising; branching stems with the vibrant blue of thimble size surrounded by spiny leaves. Eryngium originated in Europe and later spread into Asia; it is traditionally used in herbal medicines to treat coughs, liver diseases and other ailments. Also, the plant’s young roots and leaves were used in food sources like tea, sweets and herbal seasoning. (Flower style, 2010). This edible plant has drawn my attention in its pointy, sharp, delicate and complex structure, which drove me to collect objects from nature like dried thistles, conkers and spider crab shells. Visualising these items made me realise that they all have spiky characteristics, leading me to think of spikes for survival, protection, illusion and vulnerability because the spikes on the leaves protect the seed. The entire plant is as precious and decorative on the inside as on the outside. All of these led me to investigate spikes in hostile architecture and fashion, biomimicry and science based on protection, preciousness and vulnerability. In considering its survival strategies, the outcome of my endeavour materialised as a garment imbued with 3D printing, sublimation printing and acid-dyed silk, meticulously crafted with soft spikes that assume the form of a protective shell for the wearer in the open space. I hope that my textile samples and garments will change our perception of spikes and help us see the beauty of things that are in danger to make them more inclusive and accessible for vulnerable people.