the collapsible dress by evgeniia shalimova combines theater, fashion and architecture

architect and costume designer, evgeniia shalimova, has created a unique fashion piece that blends the comfort of streetwear with the drama of a hooped skirt. inspired by her work with theater costumes, the collapsible dress is an eye-catching garment that is easy to wear, easy to wash, and easy to store.

model: sofiko nachkebiya

image by igor shumlyansky

the concept of the collapsible dress takes its origins inside the theater walls. while designing costumes for dancers, shalimova was exploring how the form and the structure of the hooped dresses work in motion. the design was a success, not only aesthetically, but also practically. it was ‘tested’ on the dancers during the course of a six month tour, as the costumes were being washed many times without any damage to the structure. at this moment, the designer decided to bring the concept beyond the theater and into everyday life.

model: sofiko nachkebiya

image by igor shumlyansky

this dress is worn as easy as a turtleneck and allows total freedom of movement. due to the polyamide fiber, and its unique advantages of moisture absorption, the dress gently wraps the body and creates a cool feeling. this property makes it attractive for those who prefer active streetwear. a special 1-inch-wide bag has also been designed to easily store the dress. collapsible dress is not just a dress, it’s a unique piece that combines theater, fashion and architecture.

model: sofiko nachkebiya

image by igor shumlyansky

yellow collapsible dress

image by evgeniia shalimova

collapsible dress details

image by evgeniia shalimova

collapsible dress folded in a 1-inch-wide bag

image by evgeniia shalimova

red collapsible dress

image by evgeniia shalimova

collapsible dress folded in a 1-inch-wide bag

image by evgeniia shalimova

blue collapsible dress

image by evgeniia shalimova

collapsible dress folded in a 1-inch-wide bag

image by evgeniia shalimova

sketch

sketch

project info:

project name: collapsible dress

design: evgeniia shalimova

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom