First Stages:
 I am simply exploring some questions in the attempts to design an art installation. 
I am currently researching:
What designates a piece of clothing as a costume?
How have we been conditioned to regard clothing?
How have societal changes affected the evolution of garment construction?
How does the psychology of dress affect our perception of others? Does this affect the the way an audience is effected by a costume?
How do people choose their clothing?

I am building an art installation by balancing my areas of study: Theater and Retail Merchandising. I will open a "pop-up shop" on April 17th. The installation will include costume pieces that I have selected to display concepts that I have researched. 

Currently, I am building the garments that I have designed for my installation. A large portion of the garments will be pulled from FSU's stock. Each item will attempt to link the garment to preconceptions that the observer carries regarding sexuality, age, career, lifestyle, and intentions. I am merchandising each group of garments with their own thesis statement. For instance, pants will be merchandised according to age bracket; women's dresses are merchandise to display career paths and personal motivations; men's jackets will carry an aspect of the man's place in society. These choices will be modified throughout this process. 

The store will display a range of men and women's clothing with references from the early 20th century to modern day.
Below is my Prospectus Paper which includes the bulk of my research.