Brooke Neuberger

In my thesis exploration and development phases, I aimed to develop my technique in knitting, crocheting, and other areas. I strategically used discarded materials like yarn, various forms of metal, and old beads from my great-grandmother's jewelry. The core objective was to infuse new life and structure into these elements. My creative focus centered on reimagining wearable textiles by emphasizing colossal shapes and distinctive silhouettes—ranging from squiggly squares and rectangles to triangles and ovals. I view this exploration as a way to bring forth creativity from the womb of boredom. Boredom served as the gateway to and catalyst of my creative process, with my stream-of-consciousness creative methods serving as a physical manifestation of my immediate surroundings, pulling me out of the void of boredom. In my designs, I sought to convey the essence of “boring” through grandeur and minimalistic allure while challenging conventions through unconventional, irregular textile crafting.

For me, ennui often stems from being homebound, with no tasks or social engagements. This insight prompted me to juxtapose the static nature of boredom—usually manifested by poor posture, bare feet, and chills—with the dynamic immensity of my designs. Each piece encapsulates movement, form, and comfort (or its absence), mirroring the vacillations inherent to the experience of boredom. Boredom, in its spontaneity, ebbs and flows in tandem with life's peaks and troughs—a perpetual interlude in the flow of the tides of existence.

My approach reflects the Vision and Values of Parsons’ School of Fashion (SOF)—experimentation, sustainability, and critical thinking. Using reclaimed materials and allowing emotional states to inform the shapes of my pieces, I embraced process over perfection and intuition over prescription. In my work, I question norms around labor, time, and value in fashion production—in accordance with the SOF’s commitment to socially engaged and environmentally responsible design.

View this project on YouTube.