MOTHER JOAN

A woman standing against a plain background, wearing a sleeveless top, long beaded necklaces, black gloves, and dark pants, with one arm crossed over their chest and the other hand resting on their shoulder.
Black and white photo of three women in fashionable clothing with serious expressions, layered in a creative pose against a plain background.
A woman dressed in vintage style with a veil and hat, sitting on a block against a plain background, in black and white.
A woman with disheveled hair wearing a feathered cape and a long black skirt, standing against a plain background in a black and white photo.
A monochrome photo of a woman with long braided hair, dressed in black, wearing high heels, with one foot forward and her head bowed, against a plain background.
Three women dressed in high fashion outfits, standing together in a studio with a plain background, black and white photograph.
A person kneeling on the floor wearing high heels, a long dark dress, and a wide-brimmed hat adorned with feathers. The photo is in black and white.
A woman in black fashion attire wears a veil with a feather and a netted hat, standing against a plain background in black and white.
A black and white portrait of a woman with dramatic hair styled upwards and feathers on her shoulder, with some makeup resembling cracks on her face.
A woman with dark hair, wearing a netted fascinator and an earring, poses with her eyes closed and hand on her forehead. She is dressed in a sleeveless black top and dark shorts, in a black-and-white photo.
Three-panel image featuring nuns. Left: Scene from "Mother Joan of the Angels," 1961, showing nuns in a corridor. Center: Historical portrait of a nun with a starched cornette. Right: Group of nuns in traditional habits outside a building.
Composite image featuring black-and-white photo of nuns in habits, art of two doves symbolizing spirit, vintage portrait, and silhouette photo of a woman.
Close-up of a single feather on a dark background, black and white
A black and white feather resting on a black textured surface.
Fashion sketches of four models wearing different outfits, with the caption "FINAL LINEUP" in the bottom left corner.
Fashion sketches of four female models wearing different couture outfits with a note 'Final Lineup' at the bottom right.

PROCESS

  • Fashion design layout featuring a priest-inspired garment sketch on the left and a model wearing a long, sleeveless dress with pleated details on the right.

  • Black and white photo collage featuring a woman in a long dress, close-up on a black garment with buttons, and fashion sketches of various dress designs.

  • A collage on an open sketchbook page with images and sketches. It includes a photo of doves, fashion sketches, feathers, and a group photo of people in costumes. Handwritten notes and red tape are also visible.

  • Fashion design process with two images showing toile iterations of a dress, featuring models wearing prototypes with feather details and asymmetric shapes. On the right, a close-up scan of rooster feather applique on double-faced wool crepe with steel strapping.

  • Fashion design layout featuring two white garments with sketches and patterns. Includes photos of a model wearing transparent clothes, and also detailed fashion sketches and technical design elements labeled "LOOK 03."

  • Fashion editorial with two models in black chiffon outfits, including a double-layered chiffon shirt, shorts, and organza cloak. Accessories include a bullet rosary. A black and white artistic image with butterfly wings is in the background.

  • Fashion accessories page featuring a birdcage hat with rooster feathers, netting, and leather, alongside a model wearing a silk habotai scarf with a Francesca Woodman photo design.

  • Rosary made of red coral, cherry wood beads, pyrite cubes, glass, and a hammered bullet casing, on a braided silk thread. One side shows the rosary laid out, the other shows it held in a tattooed hand.

Fashion model wearing black sleeveless top, sheer skirt, red and black beaded necklace, gloves, and black heels standing against white background.
Model wearing a dramatic red feathered top with an asymmetric design, paired with a long black flowing skirt.
Person wearing a long black sleeveless dress with a colorful skirt peeking out, accessorized with black high heels and a black feathered headpiece.
Person wearing black sheer outfit, long red beaded necklace, and black gloves
Person wearing a black sleeveless dress with red collar and floral pleated skirt, black high heels, and a black fascinator with feathers, posing with back facing the camera against a white background.
A model wearing a red feathered dress with a bare back, posing with hands on hips against a plain background.
Model wearing a sheer black outfit with red and silver beaded necklace and black gloves.
Person wearing a black dress with netted headpiece and bow, posing against a gray background.
Fashion model wearing a black outfit with long braids, posing with hands on hips, wearing black gloves and a red beaded necklace against a light background.
Model wearing a black outfit with sheer black pants and black leather gloves, standing against a white background.
Person wearing a red feather dress with dramatic makeup and styled hair, in profile view against a light background.
Person wearing a black sleeveless top, sheer pants, high heels, and long red beaded necklace on a neutral background.
Person wearing a red feather dress with wild hairstyle
Fashion model in a black sleeveless dress and headpiece with veil, wearing black heels, on a white background.
Person wearing a red feathered dress with a voluminous hairstyle, standing against a neutral background.
A woman in a sheer black outfit and high heels, wearing a red and black beaded necklace, standing in profile against a light background.
Black and white photo of a person wearing a dress with feather details, striking a pose against a plain backdrop.
Black and white photo of a person kneeling on the floor, wearing a sleeveless top, long necklace, and pants, with long, flowing hair.
A woman with dark hair wearing a black dress, a netted headpiece, and thigh-high stockings, sitting and adjusting her shoe in a studio setting.

All Images Shot by Alicia Zhu

MOTHER JOAN

A Fashion Short Film on the Identity & Femininity of Performance

Shot & Edited by Rachel Rives