people tree.

of course i'm still being sustainable in my practise by using second hand fabric. i have managed to save the same fabric i've used in my samples; a blue and pink woven check from the flea market. it's lasted all my project that fabric, and i'm pleased i've got some left over as vivienne westwood is all about the check.

i have been researching into other sustainable clothing companies today, and the one i found most interesting was people tree.

they're a fair trade fashion company;

'For every beautiful garment People Tree makes, there's an equally beautiful change happening somewhere in the world.

We like to think of it in terms of our little shoots-and-roots motif. We provide you with exclusive fashion - the shoots - while at the same time we work deep down through the roots, improving the lives and environment of the artisans and farmers in developing countries who work to produce it. It's Fair Trade throughout. Simple.'

i really admire the work they do; http://www.peopletree.co.uk/content/ecology.php

 

collars, folds, pleats and ruffles.

vivienne weswood inspired.

http://www.viviennewestwood.co.uk/

progress...

i havebeen researching ALL DAY and finally thought of a concept idea to link with my theme; ruffles, fold, pleats and stitch... SHIRTS.

vivienne westwood was the main inspiration... god i love her. i'm so pleased to finally incorporate her influence into my final pieces. here are the main links in her collections;

ruffle detailing.

high neck lines.

her detailing is very particular. normally distorted triangles. i have practised this with origami.

ruffles and pleating detailing. like rosettes.

crazy pockets. placed in odd places. this shirt looks like it's been recycled due to the different tones of denim... perhaps it has!

the collars are arranged in different places. and i like that about vivienne westwood. she's so different and unique.

 

i'm a bit annoyed i'm still not making corsages. i love making corsages. waa waa.


i have to make four final pieces. i aim to make a number of 'collar' pieces. not an actual collar, but a mock up. also a ruffled collar of some sort, a pocket and possibly an accessory. like the rossettes.

http://www.viviennewestwood.co.uk/collections/red-label-spring-summer-2011/ you can see in this video, she uses alot of tailored clothes in her collections. so i'm focusing in onto the shirts and collars etc.

samantha pleet.

http://www.samanthapleet.com/

The story began in 2006 when Brooklyn Designer Samantha Pleet debuted her namesake collection, intertwining elements of the mysterious and fantastical with a sense of modernity.
Each season new and ancient ideas from music, art, history, and literature are conjured along with various feelings and are transformed into Pleet's silhouettes, then shown in collaborative projects from films, photographs to unique installations.
The clothes, made in New York City using organic materials whenever possible, have become favorites among creative girls around the world including musicians like Beach House, The Dirty Projectors, and Au Revoir Simone.
She has collaborated with Urban Outfitters on Rapscallion by Samantha Pleet which led to curating the inaugural pop up shop at Space 15 Twenty in Los Angeles. The 29 year old Pratt graduate gardens, paints, travels, and hunts for treasure in her spare time. SHE SOUNDS AMAZING.

her collection are simple, girly and sustainable.

LAST WEEK.

today i had a tutorial with visiting lecturer jane eastwood. (http://janeeastwooddesign.com/about.html)

it's the last week before hand in. and we have to make 2 inspiration/contextual boards and 4 final conclusions by then... AH.

as i was stuck to what i should do next, the tutorial really helped.

her comment 'simplify and refine check fabric techniques. try pulling out threads and slashing, and other ideas done on other fabric sample. try making less bulky.'

i guess this is good feedback for when i start making my final pieces... but what should my final products be? and for what context?

i spoke to grainne earlier and she suggested i make a theme from my initial fabric manipulations. FOLDING, PLEATING AND STITCHING are the most common themes from my samples. also the idea of cutting out and hiding.

so, i photocopied a number of my samples and started to create shapes and forms by folding and pleating. like origami, but i'm not making an object - just shapes. this will help me refine ideas for when i create my samples in fabric.

i still need to think of a context. i was told today i'm a 'fashion girl.' i don't know if i'm an interior girl... or both? we'll see :)

alot of my folding involves triangles. perhaps look at collars..? (http://www.urbanjunkies.com/london/images/stories/08/0616-brightsparks-1.jpg)

ah. collars and corsages in one unit..!?

websites

 http://www.ecouterre.com/
 http://www.refashionable.com/blog/
http://www.peopletree.co.uk/content/FOLKprofile.php
http://textilefutures.co.uk/
http://www.collaborativeconsumption.com/
http://www.tedresearch.net/
http://antenna.sciencemuseum.org.uk/trashfashion/
http://www.aadip9.net/erandi/2007/12/
http://ethicaltextile.blogspot.com
http://www.alltheluckintheworld.nl/en/home.php
http://www.fiberarts.com/article_archive/reviews/group/throughthesurface.asp
http://www.guidetoartschools.com/tips-and-tools/print-design-blogs

a week left.

ararara. for this three week recycling project, i only have a week left... and most of my work to do...

today we had a really useful seminar with les. i realise that i must focus and refine my fabric samples now. so i have chosen the following techniques to use in my developing work:

LAYERING; collage and applique.
FOLDING; pleats, loops, create interesting shapes.
STITCHING; embellishing and adding texture.

i will, of course, be using my recycled materials - fabrics, clothes and pillow cases from the many different charity shops i've visited in the last week. i don't, however, know where this project is heading yet, what context i will be focusing on etc, so i must keep an open mind.

better start sampling.

initial fabric manipulation samples.

here are a few of the samples i've been making this week. mostly small in scale and focusing on folds, layers, stitch, texture, pleats, knots and cut outs.

the last week.

has been an independent study week. we had the initial task to complete and to experiment.

i worked my way through the manipulation list and created a file of my samples. i figured that if i sampled a number of different manipulation techniques it will be easier for my to extend this way of working later on (working on larger bits of fabric etc) and it will be easier for me to push ideas further.
i am happy with what i've produced in a week, i've actually made my work look quite professional! which is new for me. it's normally quite scruffy in terms of presentation. but i have mounted my samples on nice thick paper, labeled them and placed them in a file. having these samples for reference will always be useful so it's best to make them look good the first time around.
i have mainly been experimenting with old fabrics and a dress i brought a few weeks ago and regretted it. so i've cut it up :) it is a netty fabric with printed horses on it.

NEW PROJECT: recycling and reinvention.

i am so excited about this project. this is exactly what i enjoy. reduce, reuse, recycle. being sustainable in my practise. i'm such a hippy at heart. that's my mother influence. i've done a similar project before, but this is much more exciting because my skills have developed sooo much in the last few months.

i really want to print in the next few weeks. and do lots of stitching till my thumb hurts.

manipulation techniques.

we got our new project today. we had an afternoon seminar with jill and the task was to think of all the ways we can manipulate fabric to create samples. this is too help us with the task next week...

APPLIQUE

REVERSE APPLIQUE (FAUX CHENILE)

WELDING

LAYERING

RUBBING

SAND BLAST

RIPPING

FELTING

MELTING

EMBROIDERING

EMBELLISHING

KNIT

WEAVE

WRAPPING

POUND

BLEACH

NUNO FELTING

MACRAME/SEMI MACRAME

PRINTING       

WEAVE               

SOLDERING             

KNITTING              

AGEING

TIE DYE                    

MARBLING           

HEAT PRESS          

MACHINE             

EXPERIMENT

DIRECT DYE              

FOLDING              

SPINNING              

EXPLORE

DEVORE                   

LADDERING          

FELTING                  

CROCHET              

DISCOVER

DISCHARGE              

ORIGAMI             

TUCKING                

MOUNTING           

REINVENT

INDIAN INK             

DISTRESSING       

SHRINKING            

SOURCE

HEAT TRANSFER        

SANDING             

BURNING               

BLUNT NEEDLE      

FIND

STAINING                 

RIP                      

SLASHING                 

SUBVERT

STENCILLING             

TEAR                    

STARCHING            

STITCH                   

IT SKILLS PHOTOSHOP

FLOCKING                

PULP                    

BOILING                

HAND-MACHINE   

PHOTOGRAPH

FOILING                    

WAXING              

WASHING              

EMBELLISH            

PHOTOCOPYING

DISSOLVING            

IRONING               

FRAY                      

LAYERING

BLEACHING             

MELTING              

CONSTRUCT           

SHAPING

ba2, project 2, breif.

This project is about the creative re-invention, re-cycling and up-cycling of materials.
You will be set a task and asked to select a theme or concept as a starting point for your visual research and investigation. The task is aimed at encouraging experimental thinking and making, whilst helping you to develop research skills, your visual language and workshop skills and will help you to more clearly identify your particular area of interest. I have no idea what my theme should be yet... i have been making things from pillow cases... what can you do with a pillow case? hahah.

You will be asked to explore how the ordinary can become extraordinary and beautiful through your re-cycled materials manipulation.
This project requires you to build on and develop the skills you have acquired in previous projects. I will be focusing on stitch and print. They are what i'm most passionate in and enjoy the most.
You will explore a range of different processes including construction / deconstruction / reconstruction through drawing, photography and material manipulation. You will be encouraged to extend your outside influences and are required to look for inspiration from historical and contemporary sources including designers, artists, painters, illustrators etc.

This project addresses the key areas of study as follows:
Studio Practice: For this project you will be asked to select a concept/theme to inform your visual research and the materials and methods of working. You will be encouraged to source materials and information from outside of the University College. You will be involved in building on and developing your practical skills in textile workshops of your choice including knit, weave, stitch, print, digital practices and related workshops and encouraged to make effective use of the studio space. Your experimental sampling and documentation of workshop practice forms part of the research and evidences an engagement with the textile workshops in the exploration of your chosen themes.

Personal Development and Planning: You will continue to use your reflective journal to document your learning and you will be supported in your learning with a group session where you consider different aspects of reflective practice. This blog is where i mainly reflect my work, i do write in my sketch books - but this is much easier to summarise and read again and again.

final outcomes.

corsages made from recycled cross stitch

corsages in context: fashion dresses

inspiration board > vintage > broaches > drawings & paintings > corsages > fashion

close up of printed corsage sample

corsage accesory board

close-ups