Commedia dell Farce reimagines the archetypal characters of the Commedia dell’Arte, the Italian Renaissance-era form of popular theater, through each look in the collection. This collection was a collaboration between 9 designers and took place in a course called Fashion? at RISD, which was co-created by Nura Dhar, Kailin Hartley, and William Ricci. Each look and accessory was designed, patterned, and produced by our team.. Spring 2023.
The silhouette of this piece marries the traditional Korean baiji pant pattern, which is characterized by minimal seams and the use of draping to create shape, with the men’s collared dress shirt and the apron. These elements were then subverted, altered, and merged to create this jumpsuit which is tied over the limbs to represent the naivety.
This look embodies the Witch’s guileful nature. The Witch is unassuming yet controls other characters from behind the scenes. Thus, the silhouette of this look appears unassuming when viewed from the front, but possesses an element of surprise when viewed from the back: the collared shirt silhouette has a unique extrusion. The metal exaggerated broach is based on the shape of a fountain pen as a reference to the adage “the pen is mightier than the sword”. The Witch’s power is not achieved through brute force, but rather through her cunning strategy.
This trench coat is a play on shrouding and revealing, absence and infinity, and ignorance and knowledge. Through the distortion and exaggeration of the wearer’s body architected by the tailored silhouette built upon the metal structure underneath, this piece reminds viewers of the centrality of the body to sculptural garments.
Commedia dell Farce reimagines the archetypal characters of the Commedia dell’Arte, the Italian Renaissance-era form of popular theater, through each look in the collection. This collection was a collaboration between 9 designers and took place in a course called Fashion? at RISD, which was co-created by Nura Dhar, Kailin Hartley, and William Ricci. Each look and accessory was designed, patterned, and produced by our team.
This trench coat is a play on shrouding and revealing, absence and infinity, and ignorance and knowledge. Through the distortion and exaggeration of the wearer’s body architected by the tailored silhouette built upon the metal structure underneath, this piece reminds viewers of the centrality of the body to sculptural garments.
Cotton poplin double-breasted trench coat, hand-painted silk lining, and metal wire understructure
This look embodies the Witch’s guileful nature. The Witch is unassuming yet controls other characters from behind the scenes. Thus, the silhouette of this look appears unassuming when viewed from the front, but possesses an element of surprise when viewed from the back: the collared shirt silhouette has a unique extrusion. The metal exaggerated broach is based on the shape of a fountain pen as a reference to the adage “the pen is mightier than the sword”. The Witch’s power is not achieved through brute force, but rather through her cunning strategy.
Tailored cotton button down shirt / pinstripe wool overdress / exaggerated metal broach
The silhouette of this piece marries the traditional Korean baiji pant pattern, which is characterized by minimal seams and the use of draping to create shape, with the men’s collared dress shirt, and the apron. These elements were then subverted, altered, and merged to create this jumpsuit which is tied over the limbs to represent the naivety, obliviousness, servitude, and melancholy that the character Pierrot embodies.
Cotton poplin jumpsuit
Models: Willow Baker, William Ricci, Jersey Bond, Jean Yoo
Photographer: Josh Sowden Designers: Kailin Hartley and Nura Dhar (Apparel Design), William Ricci (Jewelry), Lizzy Finn and Camille Zacky (Textiles), Kyla Dang and Audra Grays (Industrial Design), Torrence Rhee (Illustration), Ruyi Xu (Sculpture).
Models: Willow Baker, William Ricci, Jersey Bond, Jean Yoo, Photographer: Josh Sowden. Designers: Kailin Hartley and Nura Dhar (Apparel Design), William Ricci (Jewelry), Lizzy Finn and Camille Zacky (Textiles), Kyla Dang and Audra Grays (Industrial Design), Torrence Rhee (Illustration), Ruyi Xu (Sculpture)