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| Colour palette choices derived from s/s2015 WGSN forecasting; spinning dyed yarn onto cones for weaving; thinking about ways to incorporate glass into the woven fabric |
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| Creating glass rods through the process of lamp-working; completed rods before beginning the weaving process; example of sample on the loom |
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| Preview of collaborative collection detail |
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| Modelling agency Nemesis to decide upon our model for photoshoot; using social media platform, Pinterest, to brainstorm our ideas for the styling of our photoshoot
To my understanding, the purpose of Unit X in previous years has been to initiate collaborative projects between cross-disciplinary subjects in the art school.
Having spoken about it for a while, myself and weave student, Eden (http://edenlysettetextiles.blogspot.co.uk/) agreed that now would be the right time to collaborate. Our intention has been to create a small collection of one-off samples, that are fit for purpose for our desired context of Haute Couture fashion fabrics; combining our individual practitioner strengths across the disciplines of weave, embroidery and glass. Doing so has been an interesting experience; working alongside team members is a task that I enjoy, and is common amongst the fashion industry. Setting roles and reaching individual deadlines in order to create a garment as a collective is the norm in Haute Couture fashion houses, with each role and opinion being as equally valuable as the next.
We each have our own individual strengths; I have an extensive knowledge of embroidery techniques in comparison to Eden and patience for laborious methodology of processes similar to those used in the production of Haute Couture collections; Eden has a remarkable methodology of weaving and a passion and eye for use of strong, bold colour combinations, something that I am not confident with.
We both have similar interests in the use of textures, embellishments and colour; as well as working for the desired context of fashion, and taking inspiration from similar starting points. It has been essential in our collaboration to equally voice our opinions in all decision-making, in order to create a collection that showcases both our individual and collaborative approaches. Our initial inspirations evolved from research into Haute Couture fashion; the concept of creating one-off garments through intricate detailing and repetitive long processes, for example beading.
Embellishment can be extremely versatile, and used to create interest in samples. The processes used by Eden and I; weaving, embroidery and glass-making; are laborious and time-consuming. Our collection of samples range from heavily embellished beadwork constructed from my glass pieces being woven into the warp, to plain weave samples machine embroidered upon- using the weave as a base fabric material to incorporate with my glass and stitch.
Contextualising our work is of extreme importance, this allows our audience to visual our collection in a Haute Couture environment. We have enlisted fashion photographer and image re-toucher, Narita Savoor, to help us to professionally and appropriately place our work into a fitting fashion context. Talking in depth about our collection, it is decided that our samples are best suited for a beauty couture photoshoot. Our collection has a colour palette of blues, greens and purples, alongside glass and embellishment details; using a model to showcase our designs, we are currently in the process of choosing makeup, styling and set design ideas that we feel would compliment our samples. Through research, styling for Haute Couture shoots are usually fresh faced beauty, with a single characteristic to make the garment stand out. Our initial thoughts have been to use a redheaded model with a mulberry lip colour, the boldness of colour complimenting our samples. Looking at Haute Couture features across fashion platforms such as Vogue, background imagery is kept plain, drawing all attention to the garment. Styling and set design are tasks that we have never experienced before, therefore it being crucial that we work together in order to achieve the look that we first envisaged for our collection.
Our photoshoot shall be taking place on 19 May, ready to be added to our portfolios and showcased at both New Designers and The Manchester School of Art Degree Show, in which I am greatly looking forward to. |
