Javiera Shooaie Decap

Javiera Shooaie Decap, a Chilean-Iranian artist born and raised in Norway, is currently studying Fashion at the Royal College of Art. Their work focuses on the intricate interplay between materials, environments, and bodily sensations. By frequently integrating somaesthetic philosophy into their designs, Javiera aims to create a deliberate distortion between garments and the wearer. They view fashion as a medium for creating internal disruption, using clothing—one of our most intimate artifacts—to transcend social constructs like gender and politics and forge connections with our biology and nature.

Their master’s project, Hårsår, is a year-long project that evolved into an autobiographical journey. It explores and unravels the isolating experiences I faced growing up as a queer, biracial teen in Norway. The Norwegian word hårsår means easily offended and is a combination of the words hair + sore.

The project investigates the somatic experience of materiality by integrating human hair and wool into textiles, challenging conventional ideas of what is seen as repulsive and encourage a deeper understanding of material origins. Through the process of wet felting and needle felting, the tactile engagement with these materials fosters a deep-rooted connection, prompting reflection on the sensory and emotional responses they obtain. By comparing human hair with sheep wool, the project confronts the boundaries between the acceptable and the repulsive, questioning societal attitudes toward bodily remnants. This exploration emphasises the importance of knowing the origins of materials, fostering an appreciation for their inherent qualities and the cultural narratives they embody. By transforming these elements into wearable garments, the project not only challenges preconceived ideas of purity and contamination but also reclaims and re-contextualises them, inviting a re-examination of the relationship between the body, materiality, and cultural identity.