There is Comfort in Chaos

There is Comfort in Chaos is a collection of pieces that utilizes Chaos Theory and fractals to find ease in the tumultuous world of today. The collection began with personal reflections on comforting aesthetic objects and branched out to find connections to fractals, chaos theory, and mental health.

Hand crocheted doilies are amongst the objects that bring a feeling of calm and contentment. Initially doilies were created to protect objects; covering wood surfaces and the backs of chairs in the form of antimacassars. If one looks at the structure of a doily it is a fractal, a self-referential sequence that repeats across different scales.

Scientific research has shown that fractal forms are comforting to humans. The repetitive sequences are not only aesthetically pleasing but also calming. Fractals are most prevalent in nature, plants grow and form new shoots that break off in repetitive sequences, just as the veins in our bodies do. The patterns are all around us, a singular constant in a chaotic land.

In the world today it is difficult to protect one’s mind and find comfort. Medications for mental disorders are one method of combatting anxiety and depression. In addition to manufactured medicine, there are natural remedies that are known to help such as St. John’s Wort, Chamomile, and Saffron. The garments of this collection are all made from natural fibers, many of which are dyed with the natural remedies listed above to create a gentle palette of pale peach and yellow. The natural dyes appeal to multiple senses, there is the obvious visual of color but equally important is the addition of scent. The garments retain the scent of their dye baths adding extra comfort to them.

The construction of each piece relates again to fractal forms. Pattern pieces were drafted by repeating sloper patterns in a repetitive fractal form and then draped with to create silhouettes.

The collection features a range of techniques. Antique doilies are hand quilted between layers of naturally dyed silk organza, forming a comforting, protective jacket to enclose the body like an old quilted blanket. Laser-cut details of fractured crochet doily patterns repeat several times, along with crocheted seaming details. The Crochet Sampler Skirt is comprised of a wide variety of hand crocheted pieces in many patterns. And the tonal white Fractal Chaos Dress is entirely hand sewn together with silk thread.

Model: Annika White

Photography: Alanna Josephine and El Quesada