I spent the day searching for the right words to introduce this character. While I realize that Frankenstein’s Creature is timeless and doesn’t require much preamble, I wanted to take a moment to talk about Mary Shelley. It would feel wrong to ignore her fight to be taken seriously as an author simply because she was a teenaged woman at the time of Frankenstein’s original publication — and how she struggled more than her male counterparts to get subsequent works published, despite being considered the mother of science fiction.

 I wish she knew how influential her work would one day become. I spent some time today reading from her journal and I found this entry that I feel is relevant, "To be something great and good was the precept given me by my Father: Shelley reiterated it. Alone and poor, I could only be something by joining a party; and there was much in me — the woman’s love of looking up, and being guided, and being willing to do any- thing if any one supported and brought me forward — which would have made me a good partisan. But Shelley died, and I was alone..."  "...My total friendlessness, my horror of pushing, and inability to put myself forward unless led, cherished and supported, — all this has sunk me." Time passes, and while some things change, others remain the same. I have seen other brilliant women have their work falsely attributed to their male peers, as if women are somehow incapable of creating ugly and horrific works of art. If you too have fought to be taken seriously, regardless of your field, hobbies, or interests, I hope that you think of Mary and keep pushing. 

There have since been several recreations of Frankenstein. In fact, When you think of Frankenstein I’m willing to bet you picture the creature from the 1931 film. I don’t blame you; it’s an iconic creature design. However, for this SCC, I wanted to take inspiration from a mix of Mary Shelley’s original creature description and an incredibly niche subgenre of music called Iryou Kei. In other words, I’m back on my BS with more 'Fantasy but make it Alternative.' I’ve previously hinted at being inspired by Harajuku street fashion, and this look is no different. I chose Iryou Kei because of the blend of horror and medical visuals, making it perfect for an alternative high fashion Frankenstein.  I am moved by themes of self-exploration and identity. The creature didn't choose its existence. He is assembled from all the best, most beautiful parts, and yet he is still rejected by his maker. Discovering yourself and fostering your growth is a never-ending act of asking the question, 'What am I?' If you're like me, you may find yourself under constant self-inflicted scrutiny. There is, after all, no harsher critic than yourself. It is my hope that when you look at these images you get the same sense of longing, regret, and foreboding.