Plange’s black lambskin leather sheath dress from Scarred Perfection featured in an original exhibition and Skira RIzzoli published monograph ‘Little Black Dress’ is the only one of its kind. There are myriad masks, textiles, photographs, and more in the MFA’s collections that connect to Plange’s garments that embody scarification - an ancient practice of etching or cutting designs deep into the skin as a permanent body modification practice emerging from Africa. The markings have several meanings among the many different African tribes that have used scarification. For some, scarification served as a form of beauty, tribal identity, spiritual cleansing, or even a ritual. For others, it was erotic, political, an autobiography, and a symbol of motherhood. The Scarifications of the Betamarribe people of Benin in West Africa are extremely fine, subtle and extravagant. They are known as the "Masters of Scarification." Their elaborate patterns decorate large surfaces of skin on the face and torso. For the Betamarribe, scarifications are spiritual and serve as protection. The Bakutu tribe of the Democratic Republic of Congo have some of the most elaborate scarification designs. The scarification patterns are about their identity as a group and as individuals within that group. It is the beautiful and powerful scarification of these two tribes that inspired Plange’s first collection.

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