Catastrophe

Some of my initial research, I did a lot of broad research to begin with was I was unsure what i wanted to. I looked at disasters, designers who had done relevant collections and artists. Once i had chosen my theme i was able to narrow my research i enjoyed looking at more unusual work and artists which otherwise I might never of heard of such Gerard Ritcher.

I have found this project quite difficult and it took me quite awhile to get into and I probably would not choose to do it again. However I am pleased with what i have produced. I wanted to challenge myself so i chose tougher fabrics and patterns which weren't going to be easy I am glad I did this as I feel I have learnt a lot from it that i will be able to take forward into my next brief.

9/11 Again ?

My chosen scenario was a bit different compared to the majority. It is the idea of what would happen if an attack similar to 9/11 happened again but simultaneously world wide wiping out all major cities and the majority of the population. I did a lot of research and these are some striking imagery I found and which inspired me and helped to create my designs. I really liked the shapes of the dust clouds and the steel frame work of the towers which was left over.

Designs

Some of my final designs and flats. I think i have improved quite a bit this year but i know i still have along way to go. In my next project I would like to try using CAD and be a bit more experimental with my illustrations. I was trying to strike a balance between function and beauty as I wanted the garment to be about memory not just surviving. I think my final design does this. The cape acts as a wind break and protects you from the dust it has a Velcro fastening around the neck for safety and easiness when climbing. A stretch jersey top underneath which is comfortable and very easy to move around in and the trousers are light and loose fitting allowing as much movement as possible. I used the shapes from the collapse for the cape and the fruit nets. The tyvex which will be on the jersey top reflects the steel structure of the towers.

Final Garment

So here are a few details that are in my final garment for the catastrophe project. I am very pleased with it. It is the first time I have used as stretch it was very interesting especially when using the tyvex on it but I think it was worth it. I used the fruit nets in the end and not the bottle tops as I thought it was a bit too much other wise. I am really pleased with the cape it is just how imagined it. I had a little trouble with the zip but I'm hoping i can fix it apart from that i am very pleased. Fair to say an improvement since my hair garment.

Stencils...

So today we were trying stenciling in Illustration, it is fair to say I was getting quite frustrated and just could not see how it was going to work. After being persuaded to push my existing idea, I think it has resulted in some great first attempts. I love how you can almost feel emotion from the figure. My favourite was the illustration using black acrylic as i feel it has a more clear and stronger impact. Something I would defiantly try again!

First Fashion Illustration

Collage was my first technique used to create this my first fashion illustration, I feel it was quite successful and I enjoyed doing it.

My patterns may finally be completed ...

Today i think I can finally say my patterns may be completed for the catastrophe project, and can now start making it which is my favourite part.

To be honest I have not really enjoyed this brief and have just felt a little confused throughout as to what I am meant to be doing and want I want to be doing. I have struggled through and worked hard at it and now just hoping it turns out well.

So my final scenario was what would happen if a 9/11 attack happened simultaneously throughout the world. I have tried to make my final garment practical by looking at rock climbers wear but i also wanted to include hope and the memories of the people that would have been lost as I was inspired by the patriotism showed after the actual 9/11 attack.

I am making a sort of cape which would act as a wind break but also mirrors the shapes created at the collapse. I was intending to use a textile sample on it using fruit nets and ex spandex but it was bothering me that it just didn't seem to work together. So i have now decided to use ring pulls of cans to create a surface pattern and also resemble chain mail. After a lot of playing around with different combinations on how I could do this I think I am going to create and interesting neckline. However I have put a lot of effort into developing the fruit nets and I really liked them so I may try to incorporate them somewhere else in my garment.

And thats is what has happened today.

Its still a working progress so I'll try to keep updated and hope it is ready for the the very fast approaching 17th of MAY!!