pEcK

A fashion/ print project I developed inspired by the cruel truth that some chickens on poultry farms are horrifically debeaked to prevent them from pecking other chickens, an action stimulated by the agitation and stress they are under. Poultry producers remove an instinctive mode of survival from chickens leaving them ultimately beakless of which I through this project aimed to challenge and act against through fashion. As part of my research, I explored the horrific conditions battery farmed chickens go through in order to generate a strong statement against such industry practices. As part of my research I looked into all elements of a chickens life, and also explored the horrific poultry production processes within which they are restricted, juxtaposing with their magnificent beauty. I discovered that the comb and waffle of a chicken indicate their overall health of which is why I developed a beakless chickens face and waffle into a print, in order to emphasize the torture such flightless fighters go through. Their feet are often bound and they have less space than an A4 piece of paper. All these elements and findings contributed towards my ambition to generate a strong empowering look to give chickens their peck back.