The starting point of this wearable project comes from the interesting facts about the frilled lizard. When threatened or excited, they expands the thin membrane around the neck into a dramatic circular frill, which is a gesture of both defense and display. This rapid, mechanical transformation inspired the structure of the changeable earhook: panels that unfold along the contour of the ear, turning a subtle body movement into a visible act of alertness and presence.

Similarly, the mimosa plant (Mimosa pudica) responds to touch by folding its leaves inward. Its reaction is quiet yet intimate as it brings a soft, living mechanism of sensitivity. This became a metaphor for emotional boundaries that brings me the idea that what we wear could respond delicately to external stimuli, expressing withdrawal, awareness, or self-protection without words.

Finally, the butterfly wing offers a counterpoint, a symbol of release, transformation, and the moment of emergence. Its unfolding motion is not defensive but expressive, embodying lightness and openness. In the earhook, this is translated through the shape design, suggesting how identity and emotion can continuously shift between protection and expansion.

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The motion of the earhook was originally designed to be controlled by a thin, concealed string held in the hand (or attached to the other body parts). The idea was that subtle body gestures such as tension, relaxation, or expressive movement could translate directly into the earhook’s transformation, allowing emotion and motion to shape its appearance.

However, the current prototype hasn’t yet achieved full functionality, so an alternative version also allows me to manipulate the mechanism directly by hand.