WEEK 3: LIVE BRIEF

This last week, I have primarily been working on the denim jacket and trying to finish it in time for the "Blue with envy" launch night. I have used a few different processes when re-creating the denim jacket. Firstly, I dyed the denim in a bath of bleach and hot water and left for a few hours. I had to bleach it 3 separate times, until I was happy with the colour. I figured most of the jackets would be blue denim, so I thought I'd be different and dye bleach it an off white/yellow colour. 

I then made hundreds of my own embellishments, made from acetate and thread (from the last project) and hand embroidered them into different parts of the jacket. On the back, and on the collar I have used sand paper to manipulate the fabric to give it a distressed look. To finish off, I've sewn on sequins and beads all over to give it a "shabby sheek" look. Although, if I could do it differently next time, I wouldn't have sewn on the embellishments I used in the last project, and I would have made new ones. But, because of the short time I had to make the jacket, I had to think and make quickly. 

I've also designed some fashion illustration's to go with the jacket, a chance for me to visualise my garment. I quite enjoyed drawing and designing my jacket, but because of time deadlines, unfortunately I haven't been able to experiment as much as I wanted. For the next project, or even Unit X, I would like to practice and experiment more with fashion illustrations and make my own unique designs. 

WEEK 2: LIVE BRIEF

I have been doing some research on fashion designers who have influenced my denim fabric ideas. I've been looking at the likes of Ashish, Faustine Steinmetz, Almeida. These designers have manipulated, dyed, embellished, recycled denim and created individual looks which I want to bring into my work. I really enjoy the distressed white denim used in the inspiration boards below, it's something I want to bring into my own work with this denim jacket. I presume most of the students will keep the jackets denim blue, so I want to be different and change the jackets original colour. 

I spent last week drawing visual research, this week I have had an induction in the dye lab, and have been experimenting with discharge and manipulating denim fabrics I bought from charity shops. I have had to do this process quickly, because the deadline for the jacket is due very soon. Compared to the last project, I have experimented a lot more and created a lot more samples. It's easier to see what works and what doesn't. The plan is to stitch different shades of denim together, for example, zips and pockets, or sleeves. Then embellish and embroider on top afterwards. 

WEEK 1 : LIVE BRIEF

I have chosen to do the "Blue with Envy" denim jacket live brief. The aim for this project is to re-design a denim jacket provided by one of the fashion business students. It's a collaborative task, and the jackets will be sold at auction at a later date. Having recently changed my context to women's fashion, I thought this fashion brief would be beneficial for my portfolio. Although the deadline for the jacket was very short, and I had less than 2 weeks to have the jacket finished.  

"Beth Winterburn"

"Heather Day"

Upon starting this project, I started researching some fine artists, who paint in a way that I quite like. Since I was going to be working with denim, I automatically started researching and drawing with different shades of blue. Accurate drawing isn't one of my best qualities, so I thought why not try and make some painted groupings of colour, and really work into the different shades and creating my own lines. What worked best, was creating bold backgrounds with little bits of detail on top. I painted on pieces of card, acetate, fabric. Iv'e also brought elements from the last unit into this one, I wanted to see if I can develop my own embellishments further. Here are some designs that I created...

 

BRADFORD TEXTILES : WEEK 4

This week was all about pulling everything together, preparing myself for the first "2 tutor crit presentations". We were required to make two presentation boards showing our final sample and a context board. For my final sample, I have unintentionally stripped back on the colour use compared to my supporting samples and drawings. This was an accident, as I ran out of time to get this finished. But, because I've created such a heavy edge at the bottom, the subtleness in colour seems to work. I've took a risk by placing padding underneath the embellishments, causing then to rise up from the sample background. I've done this because I wanted to create form and shape, bringing it alive like my research. 

It was required to design some kind of fashion illustration to support the final sample, which I don't have that much experience with. To my surprise, the response I got from my fashion illustrations was positive. I was told they have potential and for this next project, to try and develop my fashion illustrations. The illustrations make a strong link with my colour groupings in my sketchbook, it's clear to see that's where my ideas have come from.

Over all my presentation was not my best, I did let my nerves get the better of me which I wasn't proud of. But, I know what to expect next time, and I plan to prepare myself better by creating a powerpoint and practising what I'm going to say before hand. My aim for the next project is to develop my final sample and see where what boundaries I can push, to work on a faster pace with my drawings and to practice my fashion illustrations. Fashion is the context in which I am creating for, so I need to teach myself how to present my samples in the correct way. 

BRADFORD TEXTILES : WEEK 3

This week I've produced on a much faster pace than last week, creating a varied body of work through different media's. I've taken risks this week by designing my first batch of digital prints. Although I enjoyed creating them, they don't correspond to my concept. This is because the designs I have created are repeat pattern, and I haven't used repeat pattern in any of my earlier samples. I want my samples to be random and raw, there is no patterns within my sketchbook, which is where this problem has occurred. I need to refer back to my drawings as I'm making samples, otherwise I tend to forget how I'm designing it.

I decided to go back a step and develop one of the first samples I had created, as these digital prints unfortunately weren't working. The sample I chose to develop is the one that reminds me most of the sea life and reptiles of the zoo. The layered handmade embellishments really remind me of scales and movement. 

BRADFORD TEXTILES : WEEK 2

Sketchbook Drawing.

Loose bead sample.

My aim for this 4 week project is to achieve an understanding of context and reflection through experimenting and pushing my work forward. Finding ways to improve my designs, making my own decisions to benefit my work. I've already started to do this by researching, sampling, drawing, improving my samples and contextualising. I came across this fashion designer Alberta Ferretti, who has influenced my latest sample designs during this week. "Tacky" is one of the key words I'm working on for this project, not too much though, just enough so that my work is quirky. 

This week I've been concentrating on developing my drawings and making a connection with my initial samples. Colour is something I needed to work on because I tend to play it safe when starting a new project, so I've been experimenting with colour in my sketchbook. I also wanted to bring elements of my samples into the drawings, such as sewing into them with beads and embellishments, making them come alive. 

I've been out shopping this week to different fabric stores, collecting a variety of unusual materials. This concept I'm creating, I want it to be completely bizarre and unfamiliar. I want there to be tackiness in my work, so much that its almost revolting! I came across some leather, which links with the snakes skin and fish scales. I've also been playing around with fur, I think the combination of bizarre fabrics work successfully with the look I'm trying to go for.