Lilianna Leach
Look, I'm Grown
Prompt: Students were to create a body ornamentation piece from materials they already had that holds some meaning to them.
A wilting, lily-shaped bra made out of tissues, to comment on the effect of media and the popularity of boob augmentation on young girls’ self-esteem and innocence. Based on research about plastic surgery, the history of boob augmentation, and examples of it in media, celebrities, and references to the effect in film. The shape was chosen because white lilies symbolize innocence, and the wilting shows the innocence being lost as girls change themselves to fit the “ideal.” The material was chosen based on the common practice of girls stuffing their bras with tissue, as seen in the hit movie, “13 Going on 30.” It also helped me reduce waste and spending, and it is biodegradable. While completing this piece, I interviewed many women about their experience growing up and going through puberty, and the last time they remembered not caring about what their body looked like, and things like the size of their breasts. Most said around age nine, which is shocking, as that is when most girls are just beginning puberty. Many mentioned how boys in their classes would call girls “flat” and compare them to more famous women. And when these girls grew up, they had more access to social media, which heightened their insecurities. Many I interviewed have considered plastic surgery. A few stated that they do experience different treatment when in a different top, some using it to their advantage. Young women, like my little sister, don’t understand that what the media shows and many celebrities have been altered to fit the beauty standard, making it difficult for them to feel okay in their own bodies. The bra was paired with a tissue tutu and tissue flower flip-flops for the shoot, showcasing the model in public places, yearning to be noticed.