Fashion cells

The collaborative efforts of UBC Professor Jacqueline Firkins of the UBC Department of Theatre and Film hit the catwalk at the UBC Frederic Wood Theatre. The show – Fashioning Cancer: the Correlation between Destruction and Beauty – made international news; a few of the 10 ball gowns’ unusual patterns are enlarged and colour-enhanced micro-photos of healthy cellular systems. However, most depict cancers and other life-threatening diseases on the cellular level. UBC Dr. Christian Naus and his colleagues captured the images which are meant, says Firkins, to overcome the “disconnect” experienced by women who have battled cancer versus the “fashion imagery that commonly represents the disease.” In turn, she hopes the dresses “simultaneously reflect a strength, beauty, and resilience” of these women.

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A collection of ball gowns from the ‘Fashioning Cancer’ collection. Photo credit: Tim Matheson
Brain invasion: Eva Tavares | UBC Opera Undergraduate in a black faille halter with blue/pink silk shredded trim & tulle underskirt, black silk faille with shredded vintage silk saris, tulle underskirt over sparkle organza. Photo credit: Tim Matheson

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Brain tumor inside out: Dress Modeled by BFA Acting student Helena Fisher-Welsh in a Grey organza gown with black trim.  Photo credit: Tim Matheson

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