This chapter is an argument for pleasure in the confusion of boundaries and for responsibility in their construction.

-Donna J. Haraway, A Cyborg Manifesto

In Fantastic Man, menswear design becomes my lens to play with the limits of self-expression within men’s fashion. My work engages with these limits in a playful tone, by representing my closest friends as paper dolls. This is a way to express my gratitude to my friends, understanding that I will always be indebted to them for their unwavering companionship and support. Each outfit is designed with them in mind, considering their personalities and aesthetic preferences. 

Usually, paper dolls are designed for girls to play with, while boys aren’t given such a space to explore their identity through dress-up and play. Without this ability, a powerful form of self-expression is lost. My work creates a space that isn’t normally given to men, to experiment without consequence and explore how clothing can act as a seamless extension of ourselves and our bodies.

I invite the viewer to engage by experimenting, playing, and tactically changing the work. When dressing the paper dolls, the viewer must decide how the items are paired together, and how these choices enforce or challenge cultural norms. After settling on an arrangement, the viewer may consider how this collaborative composition reflects how they consciously or unconsciously make choices and form expectations about representation every day.