Denby Gallagher

Hungarian Self

Conceptualising modern aspects of traditional Hungarian clothing by delving into my personal relationship with Hungarian culture

Having grown up in New Zealand, 'Finding Magyarország' is the story of my discovery of an unknown part of myself - my Hungarian heritage. This body of work highlights traditional Hungarian details of 1900s clothing and embroidery interspersed with my own sense of style - essentially modernising the traditional aspects of Hungarian clothing.

During my first trip to Hungary, I finally felt like I found a lost part of myself; from meeting the other half of my family and being surrounded by the culture of the Hungarian people. The dark colour palette conveys feelings of confusion and being lost – the dominant emotions I felt before the visit. The bright red embroidery on specific garments works to represent my Hungarian heritage; emerging through the darkness.