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Designer creates cotton flesh suits to show concept of ideal body shape is 'ridiculous'

Daisy May Collingridge has used her textile skills for good. (SWNS)
Daisy May Collingridge has used her textile skills for good. (SWNS)

A fashion designer has created a range of “flesh suits” designed to prove that there’s no such thing as the “ideal” body type.

Textile artist Daisy May Collingridge, 29, has made five characters out of fabric.

Their names are Burt, Hilary, Clive, Dave and Lippy and she refers to them as her family.

They have exaggerated anatomical features aimed to shock, which include gaping eye holes and drooping fabrics dyed in flesh coloured hues.

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The flesh suits are anatomically exaggerated. (SWNS)
The flesh suits are anatomically exaggerated. (SWNS)

Collingridge created the suits known as “squishies” to prove that the ideal body type doesn’t exist.

“They neither promote nor demote one body type, The idea that there even is an "ideal" body is ridiculous.” She explains.

“They are creations that are reflective of the human form but with fantasy elements and I really designed them to bring a bit of joy into the world.

“They, just like people, have their own individual characters and, just like people, some people will be repelled by them whilst others will adore them.”

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She graduated from Central St Martins, University of Arts in Kings Cross, London, in 2014 and has since been working on her favourite form of design, free machine quilting.

She admits one of her designs is loosely based on her father, Dave. (SWNS)
She admits one of her designs is loosely based on her father, Dave. (SWNS)

One of her designs is loosely based on her father, Dave, but all the rest are “imaginary”.

Creating these life-like body suits is no easy feat.

The technique involves hand-quilting three layers of hand-dyed jersey fabric and cotton and filling it out with wadding, beanbag beans and even sand, to form a soft, “blobby” skin suit.

They can be worn as a full-body suit for a more lifelike look, but they also make an interesting sculpture when they’re simply displayed alone.

Dave the squishy. (SWNS)
Dave the squishy. (SWNS)
The suit being modelled with somebody inside it. (SWNS)
The suit being modelled with somebody inside it. (SWNS)

Speaking about her suits in more detail, Collingridge says: “It's just become something else now. It's become these figures. They move so well - they're stretchy, and they bounce a little.

“All the outfits are made up of separate components to make them more wearable - so often it's a stuffed vest top, or the quilted material stitched over dungarees to slip on.

“And there's gloves and a mask to cover the hands and head. It's all based on normal outfits.

“It's artwork, more than anything. I want to do more photoshoots with them, and I definitely want to do more exhibiting and performance work.”

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It’s easy for the average person to slip into one of the suits, given that they’re created with an easy to step into body.

The hands, feet and head are also separate entities to the overall outfit, making it quick and easy to take photos with them.

Collingridge admits that not everybody will love them, but like them or not, it’s hard to deny the presence and the intricacy involved in the art.

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