Intentions

I will be constructing two shirts together for it to roughly fit the Hensel twins unique shape. I will then decorate the inside of the shirt by hand painting their organs and covering the lungs and intestines in machine embroidery. I chose to highlight these two features as it shows how they share one thing (intestines) and each have their own of others (a pair of lungs). I will use heavy machine embroidery like Alice kettle to create texture and tone. The outside of the shirt will have a painting of one of their most famous images from Life Magazine. Around the painting, there will be a few images photo transferred onto the shirt with hand embroidered figures surrounding them. I was influenced by Grayson Perry's story telling vases for this idea, as he would incorporate found photographs alongside illustrations. The embroidered figures will be of the Hensel twins from all ages and events. This is because memories form personalities.

Alice Kettle

Grayson Perry

More Research on the Hensel Twins

 Youtube videos of the twins: First one of when they were children and the second one of them as adults on holiday. In both videos, you see them as confident and happy, and not afraid of being themselves.

In the first video they answer questions people have asked them, for instance: "Do you fight? All the time" and "Do you have two heads? No". Them answering "No" to the two heads question, shows how they believe being known seperately is important to them

In the second one we learn about what they are planning on doing as a career: Primary math teachers. We also see how they both use amazing teamwork to work together in everyday routines, like doing each others hair and make up, and also preparing a meal.






Here are some questions and medical quotes about the Hensel twins.

Draft Idea's For Outcome

From looking at conjoined twins, I decided to create some designs that could be used towards my next outcome. Out of all three, I like the Hensel twins inspired one. This is because it is based on a real set of twins and I will be able to merge the design on the inside.

 Because I will be creating the Hensel shaped garment, I decided to do some brainstorming on what I know so far of the Hensel twins. This way, I will be able to create a design for the inside of the jacket reflecting off their individual personalities.

Abby and Brittany Hensel

Looking at conjoined twins, I've decided to look at a set of very famous twins: Abby and Brittany Hensel. They were born with two heads (two separate, individual minds), two spines, two arms (although was born with three), one ribcage, four lungs (so a set each) with two merging in the centre, two hearts but a shared blood system, two stomachs, one liver (larger then the typical liver), one small and large intestines, one bladder, one set of reproductive organs, and two legs.








To understand what the twins are like, I've watched one of their documentaries 'Joined for Life'. In this documentary the twins have just turned sixteen. It focuses on their school life and how they are coping with it. The audience learns more about their situation and how brilliant their teamwork is as the twins take on typical teen life, like learning to drive and spending time with their friends.

Update 9/01/14

I have been doing further research into conjoined twins and textile designers who focus on misshaping the body and joining garments together. I've discussed some of my possible ideas with a teacher on what I could do for my textile mock exam in two weeks, and it has helped me gain a clearer goal of what I want to achieve. For instance, I can join two identical jackets together, and decorate the inside to suggest the difference between each twin's personality. I could use real twins (not conjoined as I don't know any) but I would like to use the punk style. However I could use two contrasting fashion styles, suggesting the individuality of each twin: punk Vs goth or hippie or pop.

Freddie Robins

Lucy and Jorge Orta

Conjoined Twins

After looking at identical and un-identical twins, I've decided to have a look at some conjoined twins. This is because they are a lot closer to each other and and have pretty much the same memories, suggesting they might have similar personalties. They also share a body so their garments would be unique, as they are adjusted to fit them.

Their clothes are usually created by joining two garments together, adjusted in the areas the conjoined twins are joint to make it fit perfectly for the body. Some garments end up being more complicated than others, depending on the shape of the twins.