Collision

Love is a choice in the midst of trauma.

Corker-Brown’s Collision collection started with not one, but two car crashes in a three month timespan. These events shaped the designer and inspired her to funnel the post-traumatic stress into beautiful garments that reflect the emotion that followed. The intricacies of motion picture storytelling allowed us to combine visions for not only the garments, but in performance, movement, lighting, set design, and composition; elevating the original vision into a complex piece that has different levels of depth to it.

Collision follows a “Driver” dealing with heightened anxiety and PTSD using contemporary dance to portray trauma through a shopping trolley. There’s a split dynamic going on here; the Driver funnels anger as they push this thing which they cannot control, in tandem with their being trapped inside the cart with gravity forcing them down so violently they forget what it was like to be safe. Anger is a projection of fear and vice versa; by the end we understand that it isn’t about control, but about letting go and learning to love that which knows no better.

The world is in a state of distress; we are in the midst of a global pandemic. The feeling of being trapped is raw for a lot of us, and it feels like no matter where you live the public’s relationship with their governments is polarizing.

As mental health can worsen in these times, it’s important to remember that this environment that we are currently in isn’t permanent. Even though we can’t physically turn to our friends and family, we should reassure ourselves that we aren’t alone.

The fashion film was created by a diverse group of talented London-based freelancers and creatives coming together to display passion for expression in dance, fashion, cinematography, emotion, and storytelling.

Telling this visual story was a way to elevate the garments and depict a depth which is usually more subtle in clothing design. Through movement, lighting, and set design, we were able to tell the complex story of the garments as well as how they pertain to mental health disorder.

Just like the tire tracks smeared onto a beautiful dress, we encourage you to wear your trauma with love.

Co Written by – Jonathan DeMelkon and Rachel Corker-Brown