Arts Thread

This collection is a visual exploration of the emotional tension between depression and dreams, now deepened by the symbolism of the Higanbana, or Japanese death flower. Known for its vibrant red petals and its association with the afterlife, the Higanbana represents both the beauty and inevitability of farewells and endings, resonating with the feelings of loss and isolation often found in depression. In contrast, dreams offer hope and an ethereal escape, much like the fleeting nature of the Higanbana’s bloom. The intricate flower is embroidered onto the garments using rich reds, symbolizing passion and life, but surrounded by darker shades like black and deep grey, representing despair and inner turmoil. The embroidery is placed asymmetrically, with the flower growing upward or cascading down the fabric, suggesting the duality of life and death, despair and dreams. Each Higanbana design is delicate yet bold, much like the emotional experience it represents. The textures created by this embroidery mimic the tangled, unpredictable nature of the mind when caught between these states. Combined with the collection's use of heavy and light fabrics, the Higanbana serves as a reminder of beauty amidst darkness, an emblem of life's fleeting nature, and the possibility of rebirth, even after the heaviest of emotions.