Genealogies: Extended Narrative

As part of the Extended Narrative on researching into a Genealogy based on a chosen object, I decided to take my project on a different route and concept that is fairly unique in response to what I normally opt for in design. Starting the project, I was aiming to edge towards a fashion concept or idea, that had meaningful background and ideas surrounding the military jacket. 

It was when I saw a quote by a famous drag queen that I decided to take my project in a different direction. 

"My drag is an exaggeration - not a direct copy or appropriation - of femininity. It's not really gendered, and I always look the same - same hair, same makeup. That's pretty important. I can pick out an outfit, then everything else is uniform. I'm always on the go - so I can whack it all together and get out and do my work. It's practical, and that's a pretty masculine method of dressing I'd say. It's my version of a tailored work suit. We all know a suit is a traditional symbol of power - mine is just a helmet-hard hairdo and a don't-fuck-with-me fringe. I'm partial to a trouser, a bomber jacket and an 80's box shoulder, whereas a floaty floral skirt would feel weird on me." - Jodie Harsh, The Huffington Post

This idea and concept that there are now cultural wars out there that are being fought using this idea of protection and uniform that I have deeply researched into. Taking the concept of the military jacket on it's own, and using this idea of protection and armour, it can be used as a metaphor for the makeup and dress that these drag queens wear to protect themselves when fighting for equal rights and LGBT rights. 

Taking this concept of a cultural war, I watched a documentary on Marsha P. Johnson, A transgendered woman who set up S.T.A.R organisation in the 70's that allowed for transgendered women to feel at home within pride marches. If it wasn't for Marsha, Pride marches probably wouldn't be as relevant and as much as a cultural phenomenon as they are today. Also researching into these Stonewall Riots, the makeup, the LBGT flag, the extravagant costumes and the iconic force of the movement, I couldn't help but feel that all the above are just societies new military jacket metaphor for protection and uniform in the same way that it was in the world wars. It was for this that I decided to create an Identity for a Pride Pack, that would contain a Zine, Badges and a Tote Bag, by which would be given out for free by S.T.A.R at pride marches to keep the ideology of Marsha P. Johnson's movement alive. 

I was also inspired by Confrontational design. I researched into Barbara Kruger, Napalm Girl and the work of Lungdren and Linquist by which all provided me with more information and influence. 

I also researched into the idea of the Nazi Pink triangle, its degrading and humiliating nature within Nazi Germany and how it plays a role in uniform, military and segregating people in a cultural war within an actual war. 

I then went on to take influences from narrative part 1 and 2 to develop and interesting brand idea and development.