CLOAK unites science and fashion to champion queer visibility

The CLOAK project is not just about fabric and fashion; it's about visibility, identity, and the transformative power of collaboration.

The lab coat, an iconic symbol of science, has long been associated with the neutral, impersonal image of the scientific profession. 

However, for many LGBTQI+ scientists, this symbol also represents the hidden challenges of navigating their identities within a field where, as recent research reveals, many still feel compelled to remain closeted.

"CLOAK emerged from a desire to challenge this reality and to bring social visibility to a community that often remains hidden within the broader diversity discussions," Cherine explains. 

The project is a co-designed experiment that brings together LGBTQI+ scientists and emerging fashion designers from UTS. 

The idea for CLOAK originated from a unique interdisciplinary collaboration between academics from UTS and the University of Sydney.

Cherine Fahd, whose expertise lies in photography and visual communication, partnered with Todd Robinson, a fashion academic at UTS, and three academics from the University of Sydney: Professor Lee Wallace, an expert in sexuality studies; Alice Motion, a chemist and previous Eureka Prize winner for science communication; and ARC DECRA Fellow, Victoria Rawlings, whose research focuses on gender, sexuality, and young people.

"We knew that queer scientists often do not come out at work, living their queer lives outside their professions," Cherine says. 

"We wanted to see what impact creative practice, particularly in fashion and photography, could have on bringing visibility to this issue."

The project began with an open call to LGBTQI+ scientists, inviting them to share their stories. Eleven scientists participated, and they were paired with ten fashion designers from UTS. 

Over the course of two workshops, held at UTS and the University of Sydney, these pairs worked together to transform recycled lab coats into garments that captured the scientists’ queer histories and personal stories.

"The process was incredibly moving," Cherine recalls. "At the second workshop, when the designers revealed the transformed lab coats to the scientists, it was clear that these garments were more than just clothing. They were symbols of recognition, care, and visibility."

For the fashion students, the project was an opportunity to apply their skills to a real-world context, designing for a living, breathing person rather than responding to a hypothetical brief. 

This aspect of the project was particularly fulfilling for the students, who demonstrated a level of professionalism and empathy that Cherine found deeply impressive.

"What surprised me the most was how quickly trust was established between the scientists and designers," Cherine reflects. 

"The creative spaces we built became safe spaces, where deep personal stories were shared and transformed into something tangible and meaningful."

The CLOAK project also stands out for its innovative methodology, which has already attracted attention from other researchers. 

"A researcher from Melbourne reached out to us, wanting to adapt our methodology for a new project focused on HIV awareness," Cherine shares. "It's incredible to see how our work with CLOAK can be applied in different research contexts."

As the CLOAK project continues to gain recognition, Cherine and her team are looking forward to future possibilities. 

"We’re interested in sharing the CLOAK protocol with other researchers and creative teams," she says. 

“The potential for this type of interdisciplinary collaboration is vast, and we’re excited to see where it leads."

Cherine Fahd envisions the creative environment fostered by CLOAK—where the studio setting and the process of making things together—being applied in other spaces such as medical facilities, educational institutions, and hospitals. 

"What it does is create a particular social dynamic that frees people up, gets people talking, trusting, and sharing stories," Cherine explains. 

"The creative artefacts and the creative process become catalysts for dialogue between diverse groups of people, opening up new avenues for understanding and collaboration."

The CLOAK project is a finalist for the 2024 Eureka Prize for STEM Inclusion prize in 2024. As this innovative project continues to unfold, it promises to inspire more inclusive, creative approaches to addressing the challenges faced by underrepresented communities.