My name is Ella Lang and I’m an anthropology student, originally from New York, New York. This website is space to view a series of photographs included in my Independent Study: Fabric and Flesh: A Tactile Exploration of Personhood and Becoming. Accompanying each image, are questions that encourage the consideration of your own relationship with clothing and other materials.

I’m interested in the relationships that people have with clothing and what understanding these material relationships does to the ways personhood is conceptualized. How are body and material intertwined with one another through the physical intimacy of wearing a garment? For the last year, I worked on research project exploring this topic. I interviewed people who sew and/or design clothing across the country and asked them questions about a single garment meaningful to them. What are the ways this item changed over time? How does it feel on their body? Where do they store it? What memories are associated with the article of clothing? My research culminated in my thesis.

Enjoy and include any questions or comments you have below.