Emilia Toccafondi

Italy has strong religious roots running through it. This resonates within my experience when travelling back ‘home’. I have always been in admiration of the ornamentation of the religious garments, which I have been inspired by and developed into my final collection. Delving into my research further I found that there was conflict within my family regarding the appropriate clothing for churchgoers. The younger generation has a social pressure to present themselves in a certain manner. For my sister it is athletic gear. Sports fabrics are very evident in younger generations, garments which create a confrontation with the ornamental conservative manner which is deemed appropriate for Church.
Delving into this idea, I created a platform for the amalgamation of youth and religion which is apparent within my collection.
The visual clash represented is evident through the use of sportswear fabrics and shapes, juxtaposed to authentic religious trims, details, embroidery and colours. The very short hems juxtaposed with the high collars and the transparency of the mesh address topics within sexuality, which are widely discussed in a modern society that promotes sexual liberation and a religious world that upholds modesty and traditional values. Through my work I wanted to raise this topic that still causes controversy and struggles to find balance, focusing mainly on the younger generations and their opinions on the coexistence of religion and youth culture.

Expressing my concept through fashion helped me to confront overwhelming feelings, and through my work, my cultural differences coexist in harmony.