#orientalfan

According to legend, Japan is the homeland of the modern folding fan. The earliest record of folding fans were in the 6th century. In the Heian period these fans became so popular tbat laws were created to restrict their uses to specific social classes, as the number of strips on each fan was meant to reflect the status rank of the owner.

There are many types of oriental fans ranging from Uchiwa, a fixed fan and Brisé fans, carved from ivory sticks. But I have taken inspiration for my garments from the Sensu or Ogi fans, which are more commonly known as folding fans. That were originally made from bamboo covered with Japanese washi paper.

I felt that the harsh ridges within the fan could be mimicked through the use of knife pleating that allowed for the fan to be shown through my fabric manipulation.