THE MEDIUM OF COSTUME

Rad Hourani recognizes the power of aesthetics and the transformative potential inherent in personal attire. Through introspection, Rad examines restrictive narratives surrounding gender norms in clothing, addressing societal implications such as heteronormativity, gender privilege, homophobia, cissexism, and other forms of prejudice.

Societal expectations, rooted in predetermined declarations of gender, often dictate rigid dress codes, limiting individual expression and reinforcing inequalities. Rad poses critical questions about consumerism and art, encouraging reflection on how cuts, colors, shades, motifs, and textiles codify masculinity and femininity.

RESEARCH

Pioneering a narrative of non-binary dressing within consumer industries and artistic realms, Rad challenges the validity of conditioned standards for male and female attire. Reflecting on the origins of clothing the body—initially functional, later laden with symbolic associations of nobility, religion, nationality, gender, and wealth—Rad advocates for a paradigm shift towards entirely gender-neutral wardrobes.

Rad's vision diverges from cross-dressing, where flamboyant clothing and theatrical motifs carry gendered connotations. Rad's methodology differs from uniforms or androgyny, which still adhere to classified concepts. Historically, while 'one size fits all' or unisex pieces like t-shirts and hats existed, a fully ready-to-wear collection with an inclusive sizing system was unprecedented.

CONCEPTION

Using costume as a medium to critique societal norms, Rad breaks down conceptual divisions. Through artistic practice, Rad challenges the media and society, which uphold limitations through aesthetic conformity. This perspective aims to facilitate liberation through attire. To create a comprehensive gender-neutral wardrobe, Rad devoted extensive research to human anatomy, meticulously dissecting the body to understand human morphology.

Through rigorous anatomical exploration spanning two years, Rad deconstructs traditional notions of garment construction. Utilizing architecture and geometry, Rad develops alternative garments with tailored cuts for transformable silhouettes, fostering flexibility in expression and celebrating the multiplicity of identity. Rad's innovative concept challenges the strict duality of gendered patterns that form the basis of clothing construction, from manufacturing industries to formulaic design schools.

INVENTION

In 2007, Rad Hourani introduced the world's first entirely gender-neutral ready-to-wear collection, revolutionizing fashion with a non-gendered sizing system. This achievement liberated costume from societal constraints, fostering inclusivity and self-determination.

The result is groundbreaking in the context of counterculture or historical trends in costume. The revelation was exhibited at the Dominique Fiat Gallery in Paris via an installation of a runway performance, eradicating binary conditions and objecting to the coercion of dressing according to society's idiosyncrasies. Marking a milestone in sartorial evolution, a series of ensembles depict ageless forms with neutral lines, timeless textures, and a dichromatic palette of black and white. The minimalist schemes establish the neutrality of the artworks and initiate a dialogue of new possibilities beyond binary categorizations by using symbolic vocabulary and propagating the meaning of dressing.

Rad's pioneering work transcends cultural norms, advocating for a future where attire reflects the diversity of human identity. By dismantling binary frameworks and promoting gender-neutral terms, Rad Hourani's "GENDER-NEUTRAL PATTERNS" lays the foundation for a more inclusive approach to fashion and self-expression. Upholding a baseline of equality, Rad Hourani's unisex innovations paved the way for boundary-pushing creations, applying non-binary terms such as genderless, agender, genderfluid, non-gendered, all genders, ungendered, human, and others.

© RAD HOURANI

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