farah daylac

Like most psychological constructs, we can trace our need to belong back to our prehistoric ancestors when group life and cooperation were essential for safety and survival. People lived in small groups, jobs such as hunting, gathering and guarding were mostly shared. Doing this alone did not actually work back then, and person who wanted to do it alone was unlikely to last very long. Moreover, being rejected from a group would have been tragic for an individual. The fear of rejection as a human trait is deeply embedded in our prehistoric roots, and it explains why we fear rejection nowadays.

The skills we use to avoid rejection conform to social norms and enhance belonging persisted due to natural election
and evolution. Therefore, belonging was, and always has been, necessary for our survival.
The increasing economic wealth of our society means that we can afford to live on our own and migrate away from
the neighborhoods where we grew up. This is a luxury that our ancient ancestors did not have, when living alone
may not have been an option. The modern single person is unlikely to fall prey to a deadly predator, but we are still
learning what kind of impact the changes to the way we work, live and socialize have on our psychological health.

Belonging is in our biology, from the moment we are born, we strive to connect to our primary caregivers, who ensure our wellbeing and provide food, safety and shelter. So, belonging is critical to our survival.

Belonging comes from a perception of quality, meaning and satisfaction with social connections. it may also relate to a sense of belonging to a place, or even an event. It’s therefore a complex and dynamic process that’s unique to each person.

The collection is developed according to this concept. I wanted to implement various elements that are associated
with the concept of belonging and that resonate with how I feel about it based on my personal experience too. The collection is a representation of the ultimate and ideal state that a human can reach, which reflects peace, calmness, tranquility and happiness. I tried to portray my idea by using roots as the main element, since trees extend their roots deep underground which serve as anchors, ensuring stability and strength. Also, I was inspired by the age rings of a tree trunk which portray the level of attachment that we build with time.