EXPERIMENT BEYOND THE SURFACe¶

Research¶

“THROUGHOUT CULTURES, MYTHICAL CREATURES HELP US UNDERSTAND TRANSFORMATION,WISDOM, AND OUR CONNECTION WITH NATURE.”¶

Throughout history we can find deities and mythological symbols that have guided civilizations and represent the roots of their cultures. This is the case of Japan and Mexico. These are countries that, depite beign geographically distant, have many things in common. We share values and philosophies and one example are the feathered serpant of Mexico, Quetzalcoatl and the dragon of Japan, Ryū.

The Feathered Serpent, one of the major deities of the ancient Mexican culture. The word Quetzalcoatl is a combination of Nahuatl words: Quetzal is the magnificent bright green bird and coatl means snake. This deity refers to the union of terrestrial and rain waters. Quetzalcóatl, connects the earth and the sky, representing creation, knowledge, spiritual guidance, and rebirth. Ancient myths describe Quetzalcoatl/Kukulcan as revered throughout Central America and Mexico for his gentleness, intelligence, and his patronage of arts. The Aztecs believed that he “created the world,” and they dedicated temples to him like in Chiche Itza. The Aztecs believed that Quetzalcoatl was a redeemer, and that he would someday return and claim his kingdom.

The origins of the Japanese dragon trace back to a blend of indigenous beliefs and influences from Chinese and Indian mythology where the dragon reside in deep seas or under lakes and are known as guardians of the water. Often serving as mediators between heaven and earth.The Japanese dragon is a revered figure, a symbol of strength, wisdom, and protection. The japanese dragon is a creature of water and Air, associated with protection, wisdom, fluidity, and transformation. The Year of the Dragon, known as “tatsu-doshi” in Japan, holds cultural significance in the country, where it is revered as a water god. This mythical creature is associated with health, energy, bravery, and trustworthiness. In the lunar calendar, the Dragon is the only imaginary creature considered an auspicious symbol.

I want to explore the meeting point between two mythical powerful symbols of two distant but spiritually connected cultures: the japanese dragon and the mexican feathered serpent. These two figures serve as metaphors for movement, transformation, change, and learning — values that deeply resonate with the experience of this course itself.

Who: The University Students¶

During all my years as a professor of Fashion Design at the University, I have noticed a lack of vision on the part of the students, towards all the opportunities that the Fashion Industry offers them. Fashion goes beyond the classic garments that you can find on the shop, Fashion is creativity, innovation, the development and the use of new technologies where they can explore and make a difference, have a voice and transform the world we are living in.

What:Creating something new¶

As Fashion is more that just clothes and the country where I live is a place full of history, colors, mythical ans spiritual, transformation and much more, and as Now a days we can find a lot of japanese influence with their philosophy way of living and their garments, I would like to merge these two mythological cultures into garments that carries their essence.

Not a costume, but a wearable: somethinf fluid, adaptative and symbolic at the same time. A offtit that not only reference them visually, but behaves like them, changing, adapting ans responding to the surrondings. I would love to explore some themes like:

Fluidity - Movement Transformation - Change Duality - Softness and structure Tradition and Technology

When:During his student life¶

The students are today learning new things, a new discipline. It is important for them to realize that outside the competition is fierce and they need to stsndo out by applying all what they have learned, innovating, creating and experimenting new things.

During this time, developing the final project, I would like to get some student involved, working hand by hand with me and opening their minds to a hole new universe of opportunities, new ideas,new materials, new challenges.

Where: At University ans into the real life of a designer¶

Trough the awakening to new horizons and realizing all the things the Univertity has to offer and that they do not use. Specially emphasizing the important to rescue and preserve their identity, their idiosyncrasy, their roots and being coincious of the importante of taking care of the environment, the sustainability and the social responsability specially with the artisans not only in their country but through out the world.

Why¶

To encourage them to experiment different things. To visualize that Fashion is much more tha just clothes. That there is a universe of possibilities, creativity, innovation, technology and sustainability to explore.

Becuase both cultures have a lot in common, and a lot to share to the world. The Dragon and the Feathered serpent have many simmilarities like:

1.- They represent the inherent duality and balance of the human being existence and its connection to the physical and spiritual world. 2.- Both creatures are fundamentally depicted as large, serpentine beings. 3.- They are associated with water and weather. Benevolent with nature 4.- Symbolism of power and creation 5.- Both are guardians of the cosmos.

Their colors as well have a meaning as you can see in the next table:

Color	Quetzalcoatl	Dragon Ryū
Blue	Divinity, water, sky	Compassion and forgiveness
Black	Wisdom and knowledge	Wisdom gaines through experience
Red	Cycle of life, vitality, power, death	Strength and passionate power
Yellow	Growth, stability	Nobility and helping others
White	Creation, light, gentleness and potencial	Purity and virtue
Green	The Quetzal festhers, fertility new life	Nature and life

How¶

I would like to apply most of the subjects that we review during the course. I know it is difficult but that is part of the challenge itself. Some of the things that I would like to implement are:

Digital Fabrication & Patterning • Parametric patterns inspired by dragon scales and feather geometry. • Laser-cut modules that interlock or transform.

E-Textiles & Soft Circuits • Subtle LED circuits mapping the “energy flow” of the creatures. • Conductive threads tracing sacred patterns and changing brightness with movement.

Bio & Sustainable Materials • Biotextiles dyed with natural pigments referencing fire/air/water. • Possible use of bioplastics for lightweight scale or feather parts.

Composites & Molding • Flexible composite pieces that mimic serpent armor. • Molds for ornamental shoulder or back elements.

Textile manipulation • Pleating or smocking to evoke movement and body metamorphosis. • Embroidery patterns Sashiko

Wearability & Interaction • Modular fastening system: pieces that can be removed or reconfigured. • The garment transforms like the myths themselves.

I got inspired by the work of Zander Webster, Zahia Albakri and of Fabricademy and reseach I made on the subject

Zander Webster Zahia Albakri Pattarapont Kittisapkajon Florencia Moyano

Moodboard¶

Inspiration

Color moodboard

Gantt Diagram¶

BOM Chart¶

BOM (Excel)

material	price	link
coton	2.3	link

New Concept.¶

Since the dawn of human imagination, few creatures have captured our collective consciousness as powerfully as the dragon. These magnificent beings, living in the space between myth and reality, have appeared throughout stories, religions, and art. From the benevolent celestial dragons of China to the treasure-guarding wyrms of European legend, dragons symbolize humanity’s effort to understand and represent the most basic forces of existence: creation and destruction, wisdom and power, chaos and order.

The fundamental Dragon form The serpent symbolizes ancient wisdom and the life force flowing through all creation. The wings represent transcendence and the ability to shift between earthly and celestial realms. The breath signifies the power of transformation, capable of both creating and destroying depending on how it’s used.

Region	Name	Symbolic Wisdom	Design Value
Mesoamerica	Quetzalcoatl	The "Precious Twin": Creator of books, weaving, and the calendar	Craftsmanship: Using the hand to manifest the spirit

Through mythological adaptation, dragon narratives performed essential functions:

• Sovereignty validation: Chinese emperors claimed draconic descent, while European monarchs commissioned dragon-slaying heraldry to demonstrate righteous dominion. • Territorial demarcation: Dragons marked liminal spaces—cave mouths, mountain passes, unmapped waters—where civilization's order dissolved into eldritch wilderness. • Knowledge gatekeeping: These creatures guarded forbidden wisdom, from Ladon's golden apples to Fáfnir's runic secrets

After a lot of research and the advice of Louise Massacrier, Rico Kanthatham, and my mentors Claudia Simonelli and Troy Nachtigall, I redirected my project. I decided I will keep Quetzalcoatl as the most important element on my research, its qualities, values and elements. As it is a dragon since the first representations by the toltecs, and later on turned into a Fethered serpant, I decided to call my project, Quetzal Flow.

[with credits Kristian Shaw]

Across cultures, dragons are consistently linked with ancient wisdom and the deep knowledge gained from witnessing the rise and fall of civilizations, the cycles of the cosmos, and the everlasting patterns that shape existence. This wisdom isn’t just academic; it’s a profound understanding that arises from direct experience with the core forces of creation and destruction.

In many traditions, dragons act as teachers and guides for heroes, sages, and spiritual seekers. They hold knowledge of hidden treasures, secret pathways, and ancient mysteries that can only be accessed through the right approach and respectful relationship. This teaching role reflects the idea that true wisdom cannot be taken by force but must be earned through patience, humility, and the willingness to face difficult truths.

"Quetzal Flow" is the intersection of material and spirit. From the high altars of the Americas comes the Quetzalcoatl, the Plumed Serpent bridged the gap between the earth and the heavens. It shows the ancentral harmony legacie that flows through wisdom and creation, design and sustainable craftsmanship, the celebration of the dragon as a universal symbol of transformation and transcendence. The project's core is the Wisdom through Duality, moving from a fashion collection to a "Philosophy of Design" by collaborating with the students, working together, that becomes a lesson in balance: the balance between the hand and the mind, the material and the vision.

Quetzalcoalt as the ultimate dragon, the feathered serpent. The Dragon through out the shores and eras has stood as the guardian of the Great Threshold. It is the Serpent—rooted in the earth, the master of raw material, and the strength of the hand. It is the Feather—the breath of the wind, the spark of the mind, and the flight of imagination.

True Wisdom is not found in one or the other, but in the Flow between them. This duality can be explored by weaving the weight of ancient scales with the lightness of celestial feathers. We do not just dress the body; we dress the intellect, honoring the seeker who understands that to touch the sky, one must first be firmly grounded in the craft.

Wisdom Flow Pillars¶

Serpent's Discipline: focusing ont mastering the technical constructions of the garments,the seams, its durability.
The Feathered vision: focusing on the texture, the colors, the movement of the garment.
The wisdom, gain my having the garment or look finished, where the structure supports the beauty of it with technology.

It is important to enphasize this duality, often called "The tension of Opposites". Design as an act of mediation, where the dedigner must become the Master of the Thresholds, master the technical discipline and the vision to imagine new possibilities.

Working with the students will help them adquire new knowledge, experience new challenges and breakdown all in the construction of a capsule collection, where they can experiment the balence between the Physical and Digital materials, the craft and the code. The wisdom comes when both are respected and enhance one and other. It is the ability to move between the loom and the laptop, the acient and the avant-garde.

Element	Serpent (material/ old)	Feather (Digital/new)>	Flow (Wisdom)
Texture	Upcycled Denim, Wool, Linen	3D Printed TPU & Bio-Resin	Synthesis of waste and tech

There would be fabulous to be able to add to this Wisdom through Duality philosophy garments, a proximity circuit that help create a bridge between the two garments. The lights can represent the Spark of knowledge that only occurs when two different perspectives meet.