In project Pretty Exposed I researched the balance between sexiness and empowerment in female nightlife clothing, comparing Amsterdam to Rio de Janeiro. My research started with the question: ‘Is female nakedness in nightlife clothing a result of sexualisation or female empowerment?’ I dove into the history of unclothing, the growth of new feminism, and the use of nakedness as a tool for either protest or attraction.
The conclusion of this investigation into contemporary femininity resulted in a statement for the sensual feminist, combining both sexiness and empowerment. My ideas were translated into a nightlife clothing collection that was exposed by dancers as an intervention in the club scene of a fashion festival. I also translated in into the form of a fashion magazine, a gender conference keynote and workshop.