22-year-old Linda Kozina, a student at the Faculty of Textile Technology in Zagreb, dedicates her project Symmetry 2.0 to the concept of symmetry between humanity and divinity. She uses symmetry as an analogy to connect opposites and to illustrate the constant pain that arises from trying to grasp something that we can neither touch nor reach.
“I wanted to make the incomprehensible visible, to capture the moment when a person reaches for the divine and, in doing so, hurts themselves,” explains Linda Kozina.
The outfit consists of two symmetrical corsets that enclose the body from above and below, thus creating a double form. In the center of the dress are thorns, which serve as a sign of pain and fear – a symbol of human duality between body and mind, pain and enlightenment, reality and transcendence.
The dress is made of American satin and transparent organza. The material plays with light and reflection, thus emphasizing the idea of a mirror image. A voluminous hip structure gives the dress a dramatic effect. The floor-length silhouette is enveloped in organza and 3D-printed thorns.
Particularly striking is the headdress, which is reminiscent of Jesus’ crown of thorns. The bandage under the crown is a silent reminder of our fragility – it prevents us from further harming ourselves in the search for the divine. The crown is not just an accessory, but a symbol of inner fragility and the pain that constantly accompanies us.
Technically, Linda Kozina combines classic haute couture techniques with contemporary methods such as 3D printing and digital simulation. Using programs like CLO3D, Blender, and Adobe Substance, she connects physical and digital elements. The real dress becomes the material manifestation, while its digital counterpart serves as a metaphysical echo. Symmetry 2.0 reveals the symbiosis of craftsmanship, technology, and emotion – a transformation of spirituality into tangible form.
