inflatables
"I believe inflatable fashion can serve as a sense of escapism, especially for my customers dealing with mental health struggles, because its child-like, enthusiastic, bombastic ways can trigger a sense of happiness and almost cuteness."
A current fashion design MFA student at FIT, Talia Abbe, is at the center of it all. Working on her thesis collection, Talia knows all too well that the fashion world often directly reflects the current social and economic temperatures. It's no wonder that her thesis collection studies the positive and negative stimuli in the world and how they impact individuals internally and externally.
We got the scoop from this emerging designer on the inflatable fashion trend, what it says about the current times, and its future in the fashion industry.
BBM: What initially inspired your interest in designing inflatable fashion, and how do you view its rise in popularity within the fashion world?
Initially I was inspired to do inflatable fashion through research and a lot of material development. I wanted to create a sense of protection around something more vulnerable. Inflatable fashion didn't become popular until I had already started doing it, so I didn’t even really know it was out there, but I love its rise in popularity within the fashion world. Everyone who I see doing inflatable fashion goes about it in such different ways, its nice to see new and exciting materiality being brought into the industry with such variety.
BBM: What unique challenges and opportunities come with designing inflatable fashion compared to traditional textiles, and how do you balance innovation with practicality?
I think a unique challenge is trying to continue to be different in the industry, especially with all the hype around inflatable fashion at the moment, but I also think that is the fun part because it comes from my own creativity and allows me to design the unthinkable. When balancing innovation with practicality at the moment my inflatable garments have to be made to order because they are so avante- garde and time consuming to make, but I am working on some ways to transform my editorial garments into more everyday wear that you will just have to wait and see!
BBM: How do you believe inflatable fashion serves as a form of escapism, especially amidst societal issues like economic inflation?
I believe inflatable fashion can serve as a sense of escapism, especially for my customers dealing with mental health struggles, because its child-like, enthusiastic, bombastic ways can trigger a sense of happiness and almost cuteness. I believe in other ways it can serve as a sense of escapism because of how fun the inflated garments are, also because of the juxtaposition of what is happening in the world and then actually inflating the garments the way the economy is inflating. It adds humor to a bad situation, which can just help people feel better in general.
BBM: Can you discuss how inflatable fashion intersects with themes of sustainability and eco-consciousness, and how you approach inclusivity and accessibility within your designs?
My collection in general interacts with the theme of sustainability in a totally different way. Being sustainable to the actual people and consumers, trying to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment, making clothes the consumer will want to be constantly wearing because it makes them happy. To me, that is a whole different kind of sustainability, helping the actual people through fashion. Inflatable fashion can be eco- conscious because the majority of it is made from latex, which comes from rubber that is made from a plant so latex is actually biodegradable. If left out in the sun for too long or near metals the latex will start to biodegrade. The only problem with this is how long it takes the latex to actually get to that point, but Tabbe Designs is eco- conscious because everything is made by me for the consumer and one of a kind so there is no mass production happening for myself or any other inflatable fashion brand. I approach inclusivity and accessibility in my designs by trying to appeal to all people, working with mental health organizations in my community and making my clothing for all people of all sizes.
“My Inspiration was about negative and positive stimuli in the world and how a person reacts to that both internally and externally. The inflated part is supposed to give a sense of protection in contrast to the tight latex against the body. The whole Collection is meant to be very fun, colorful, happy and childlike. “
BBM: From your perspective, how do you see the future of inflatable fashion evolving, and what role do you envision it playing in the broader fashion landscape?
I think Inflatable fashion will evolve, like everything else in the industry it may stay around the way it is, but most likely it will continue to change into something new and that is the beauty of fashion. I hope to continue building my collection with inflatable fashion and other variables, making people feel happy when they see the clothing I make.
BBM: Finally, what message or emotion do you aim to convey through your inflatable fashion designs, and how do you see your work contributing to the broader dialogue surrounding fashion, art, and cultural expression?
The garments are meant to draw people in and make them happy and feel welcome into a community that shows its okay to not be okay and its okay to talk about how your feeling and what is going on behind the scenes. In particular, the movement of the garments are purposefully playful, lending an expression of optimism. Many individuals hide their emotions due to shame, fear, or other negative feelings. The inflated nature of the garments represents the build-up of emotion within all of us, trying to escape. I want people to feel overwhelmed with happiness when they see my garments, like wow that just made my day.
