Embellishing with hardware fixtures

These images show a variety of the embellishment samples that i have created. I used items such as nuts, bolts, washers and hinges, all varying in size.

I considered how I could use placement and repetition to create patterns with these pieces of metal and it resulted in many of the samples being repeat patterns that could be applied to clothing in my collection.

However the samples are quite heavy even when small so perhaps it would be impractical to cover a whole garment in this detailing and I may decide to use this on the trims of garments or as mentioned in the previous post, as a coating on a hem to contrast agains any other fabrics that I might use.

I quite like the idea of using these quite harsh metal fittings alongside lighter fabrics and perhaps with sheer fabrics. I feel that this would perhaps work well with a softer colour palette of pastels and powdery colours.

S/S 14 trend- Coated Hems.

 According to top trend forcaster WGSN, an upcoming trend for the following season is for hems to be in a contrasting colour, fabric or have detailing on them, setting them apart from the rest of the garment.

The image, left, shows a red sheer dress with a contrasting metallic pinky purple leather trim.

I feel that this could be a trend that I might follow when considering my own collection. I have already began to develop embellishment samples using hardware products and feel that this may be an appropriate place to put them.

I also feel that I could follow the trend in applying the metallic colours from the hardware fixtures and fittings along the bottom if I decide against applying the embellishment.

I feel that adding a flash of accenting colour to a more reserved and plain garment may help to make it look more high end and would add a feeling of expense to the outfit on the whole.

Shop task research trend boards.

For the shopping task exercise, I decided to create two boards clearly showing the trends that I had identified whilst in the high street and high end stores.

I found that an upcoming trend appeared to be a luxurious approach to sportswear. This has clearly filtered down from the upmarket designer level from fashion houses such as Jonathan Saunders, Stella McCartney, Michael Kors and others and has then gone on to influence the high street, from topshop through to H&M.

You can also see from the board that Maison Martin Margiela's latest high street collaboration with H&M has allowed the designer's take on 'Sport-Luxe' to be obtainable to those with less disposable income.

Another emerging trend on the catwalks this season was Monochrome. Black and white were key in collections by Lanvin, Jil Sander, Victoria Beckham, Haider Ackermann and many of the other top end designers.

This trend could then be seen in high street stores such as Zara and Topshop, featuring in everything from footwear, right through to coats and outerwear. Similarly, upmarket high street brand The Kooples had many pieces of black clothing, hallmarked with black detailing in a contrasting fabric.

Thermochromic paint

 Fashion design collaboration Avzeveno and Florence recently revived a 90's trend of using thermochromic fabric dye.

They developed simple vests and scarves etc that change colour when exposed to heat. A slight touch can mean that the dye will change colour and leave a hand print or an arm mark on the vest.

 
Critics feel that it is a "fad fashion" trend and that it will only be a short lived craze, but I think it would link in nicely with the work that I want to create. So I would like to find some fabric dye or thermochromic paint to use within my sketchbook, larger pieces and to test on garments that I will either purchase or learn to pattern cut myself.

As well as the more high end designers using this special heat reactive dye, high street store American Apparel have made a more affordable range of teeshirts too (see below)

Fashion with handprints

Fine artist Yoko Ono has created a conceptual range of menswear clothing featuring a handprint on the crotch of the trousers. This links to an idea I've had of my own.

I want to take a series of photographs or make a short film of me or a model wearing a white shirt. I want to then have the hands of the subject covered in paint and then ask them (or myself) to remove the shirt. This would then show the way that you use your hands on the body when dressing and undressing yourself and would leave interesting marks on certain parts of the garment. This could then be worked into using new colours and the embellishment idea. I'm SUPER excited by the entire process and I can't wait to put all these new ideas into practice.

Comme Des Garcons A/W 07/08 collection consisted of garments that had gloves attached to them in unusual and unexpected places.

This could also be a good indication as to where people place their hands on their bodies when wearing particular garments. For example in this image (left) the hands may be placed on the hips of the skirt and the button stands across the shirts.

I think this is another interesting take on mapping where hands could have been whilst dressing and undressing etc.

I also like the white on white colour pallete.

thermal imaging

I have had an idea! If I can acquire a thermal imaging camera, I would show exactly where the hands of the person opening the door would be.

I'm beginning to think that they are far too expensive to buy so hiring one may be a better option of me.

However, with any luck, they'll be an iPhone app that does the same thing for a small cost and with any luck would be free.

I think that this would be amazing for what I want to look at. As well as it showing where the person has interacted with the door, it could also provide me with an interesting colour palette, ranging from blues and greens, right through to hot pinks, oranges and reds.

Choi Jeong Hwa

I wanted to look at more contextual links to my theme. The "doors" theme seems to be quite broad so I wanted to cover as many bases as possible.

This particular take on doors features an installation piece by the Chinese artist. The construction of this means that it appears that a full building has been created just from brightly coloured doors.

I think the installation take on doors is very interesting. I'm thinking of carrying out processes that could be used as a piece of conceptual art within a gallery setting so it is highly important to look at artists that are relevant and work in a similar way.

I also like this piece called "Wish". The large scale is something that I may be interested in working in and I think the challenge would be something that I do have the brain for. I enjoy planning, measuring and precision which I feel would put me in good stead for creating a larger scale piece.

I like the use of brightly coloured fabric that is juxtaposed against the rigidity and solidness of the buildings that they are draped against.