Unveiling the Pine Lady: A Fusion of Nature and Fashion

Samin Mousavi's Award-Winning Costume Design Inspired by Evergreen Pines

The Pine Lady project, initiated in August 2013, was inspired by the sustainable influence of pine trees on human life throughout history. Mousavi chose to represent the aesthetics of this evergreen nature in contrast to the perishable prettiness of human beings. The costume portrays a character who veils her mortality behind the might of nature, seeking to overcome her intrinsic weakness and unify with the natural world.

What sets the Pine Lady apart is its conceptual philosophy. The design showcases the simplicity of beauty alongside an avant-garde dress and accessories. Mousavi used pine as the primary material for the handmade costume, creating a paradox between the evergreen nature of the tree and the ephemeral beauty of young women. The character acknowledges her mortality and attempts to veil her weakness with this immortal wooden plant.

The costume was realized using pine, wire, base cloth, adhesive, chenille yarn, and dry bulk waste from pines for the skirt part. The technical specifications of the project included photos taken with a Canon EOS 600D, at a resolution of 3456 x 5184 px and 300 dpi. The design team comprised of an art director, costume designer, photographer, model, stage manager, makeup artist, model manager, stage assistants, and a special thanks to Dana Mashallahpoor.

The Pine Lady design aims to engage viewers through the relationship between the natural material of the costume and the natural beauty of the human form. The simplicity of portrait lighting and the minimalism of the white background further enhance this connection. The audience is invited to twin with the character and experience the unification of human and nature.

The design process involved extensive research on pine trees and their impact on humans as an evergreen plant. One of the significant challenges was installing pines into a dress and capturing the character's feelings through the model's eyes in portrait shots. Despite these challenges, the Pine Lady was recognized with the Golden A' Photography and Photo Manipulation Design Award in 2017, a testament to Mousavi's creativity and innovation.

In conclusion, the Pine Lady is a unique fusion of nature and fashion, reflecting the designer's vision of unifying human beauty with the enduring allure of nature. It stands as a testament to the transformative power of fashion design, challenging conventional norms and pushing the boundaries of creativity.