This project merges the silhouette of the orchid mantis with ballroom aesthetics, using exaggerated forms, sequins, and satin to express visibility, performance, and resistance. It reimagines a fantastical species that challenges rigid gender structures.

Inspired by layered mimicry—orchids, orchid mantises, and voguing culture from LGBTQ+ ballroom scenes of the 1960s—the project reflects on imitation, performance, and identity. It connects natural forms of deception with cultural expression and Madonna’s reinterpretation of ballroom aesthetics on stage.

Digital prints transferred onto jacquard fabric create shifting illusions between reality and performance. Reflective surfaces reference insect exoskeletons, combining gloss, texture, and layered imagery to express fluidity and transformation.