Pseudomorphs (2010)

Anouk Wipprech
Sponsor: V2_Lab Host: V2_Lab

As part of a Summer Lab fashion designer Anouk Wipprecht created a dress that can be customized to the wearer’s liking. Thanks to a system of valves and pumps attached to a neckpiece, ink flows over the dress creating a kind of bleeding effect. The neck-piece works with pneumatic control valves and an pressure and control system that allows the ink to be pumped throughout the design and spreads the ink over a series of absorbing dresses in a uncontrolled matter.

Anouk Wipprecht said: “Ink can be a complex medium, composed out of hundreds of materials like solvents, pigments, dyes and so on. My aim is to create a system that makes this ink come to life.” A structure may be covered in fluids that alter the original specimen into a new material, this process is called pseudomorphing in mineralogy. Creating illusions around the body, on fabrics and between surfaces that makes it magical to look at, or interesting to be with. To recreate itself based on the body heat of the wearer. Little patterns that start to appear as soon as the design moves. The beauty of something flowing or floating, covering the body in unusual shapes. Subtle breathing, pulsing, living; organic creatures. The aesthetic essence of what clothing should be; interesting to look at.”

This project was developed during a residency as part of a Summer Sessions residency at V2_.