Lea Köppen - Fachhochschule Bielefeld

cut_off_age – Fachhochschule Bielefeld

I am Lea and I am currently studying for my master’s degree in Fashion Design at the Hochschule Bielefeld. Throughout my studies, I developed a certain affinity for questioning stereotypes and expectations. I show this in my works through drapings, innovative pattern making and print development. A perfect craftsmanship is what I aspire to keep so that a good design and garment will come to live. Creativity and interaction with others at the HSBI are what inspire me to uphold my aspiration of myself and to keep growing.

he collection ‘‘cut_off_age‘‘ deals with the concept of growing up as a boy – a transition in which not only the body but also one’s self-image and social perception change. A special focus point is on body changes and posture, both in a physical but also in a figurative sense. Different postures and movements were used as inspiration for volume development, pattern cutting, and deformation of masculinity in the garments. This way, I developed silhouettes which contrast with an idealized perception and discuss a changeable body. Soft colours and subtle prints support this approach and work specifically against the typical ideas of masculinity. The collection questions what we see as “masculine” and also what the expected stereotypes of masculinity evoke in boys and if these stereotypes are necessary.

Thus, “cut_off_age” is a critical but also sensible analysis of male gender role expectations and supports an investigation on alternative expressions.