CORPCORE

Co-Creative Director / Designer•2023

Background

The first time Kiernan (co-creative director) and I sat down in our company's basement cafeteria, we realized we had a lot in common. "We should make a jacket together," I suggested. After that first meeting, we kept talking about corporate life. One idea turned into another, and before we realized it, we had built an entire world. We named it Corpcore — a satirical corporate fashion universe inspired by our own 9–5 jobs. We developed seven personas, each speaking to outdated dress codes, unspoken rules and rituals, and power structures worth critiquing as we enter a new age of work. Anyways, welcome to Corpcore. Where coffee is free and dreams are crushed.

Ideation / Moodboard

Persona 01

TIE GUY

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"Extended-Length Tie:" built for his extended nights at the office. Dragging himself through the week — always trying, always tired.

12 images

Persona 02

THE SECRETARY

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"Sitwear" pencil skirt: built-in exercise ball to encourage "active sitting," reducing the need to leave her desk.

10 images

Persona 03

THE INTERN

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"Wearable filing cabinet": built for nights when the work has to come home (which is every night). $70K in student loans. He can't afford not to get the job offer.

8 images

Persona 04

THE CEO — "MR. CORP"

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"Pink power suit": the color speaks louder than his company-wide memos. A challenge to the masculinity traditionally used to signal power.

7 images

Persona 05

THE CORPORATE ATHLETE

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"Practice penny sweater vest": built for speed and agility, designed for jumping through hoops.

12 images

Persona 06

FACILITIES CREW

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"High-visibility jumpsuit": modeled after institutional uniforms designed for control. They maintain the corporate ladder without ever being invited to climb it. Always moving. Never upward.