Finally

This was the finally three days of the project and I felt like I only had a day to complete it. It was very intensive and stressful, lots of last minute adjustments and work.

This was the week when I had to finish constructing my final garment, present it and complete any missing work. I also had a group assessment where six of us when around showcasing the work we had so far and gave feedback on each persons work. This was very useful to me as I was able to see where everyone was at within the project which helped me to understand if I was on task or behind. Looking at everyone else's work I did not feel as if I was behind but I felt like there was much more I could do. The group assessment was also a way for me to gain inspiration. By looking at others work I picked out the points I felt work best within their work and use add that in my work. The points I picked up from one person which I felt was important for me to also have in my work was her way of presenting their work. This is because I understand how important presentation is and the effects bad presentation on your work. It's important for me to center my work and also add texture, pop outs or things which could stop and slow down someone when looking at my work to grab their interesting and so that it does not look repetitive. All these things are important when I'm going to an interview and someone is viewing my work to ensure I stand out against others. I thought I was not going to enjoy the process of other people viewing my work as I was not confident within my work and I felt like my dislike for the project showed through. But it was an eye opener and pushed me to try better. 

(Authors 28/11/2014)

The part of this week I found the most annoying and tedious was the marking. I think this was down to the fabrics I had to work with and the time frame. I was working with thick fabrics so could but use the sewing machines available to me as I did not have excess to the correct needles. So u then tried hand sewing with a strong thread and needle but it was taking forever just to make one stitch due to the power I had to use to push through the needle. So my garment was constructed mainly with the use of needles in certain sections which made it difficult for me to take it off the mannequin. Aside from the making process I had 80% happy with my final outcome. I think if I was to do this task again I would think more about the types of garments I bought so I could manipulate the fabric. A garment which would of been great to use would be a knitted jumper as I can unwrap the yard, rip into it and also dye ( depending on the colour) this would of been ideal to do but was not available to me until the very end when I had little time to play around with it which was very disappointing as u felt their was so much more I could of done. However I do like the finished look of my final product. Although I hated the task I think they are many things I can take from doing this. One thing I would use in the future which I learned was making something from nothing. Thinking aside the box is important and this task pushed me to do so as is felt free to do 'whatever'. I was able to play garments changing it's perception.  I honestly can't wait until these six day projects are over and we go back to the long term projects. Completing these projects has shown me how much time I wasted before in the first project and how much more I could of done. I also think I've improved a lot from the first time and I'm trying to push myself even harder to ensure I reach my full potential.

Reconstruction , Deconstruction.

Today we started on our new project which is named reconstruction , deconstruction. I've never done a project like this before but I knew it would involve  cutting, ripping & pinning. 

We was told beforehand to buy a range of different garments, so I went to the charity shop looking for garments that have different construction techniques & fastenings. This was because i was not sure of what I was going to create so I wanted to have a large range to inspire me and also create interest and unusual looks. 

We started of the project by cutting out garments & objects from fashion magazine to create abstract design ideas. I loved this task as it gave me a chance to experiment by playing around with colours, shapes proportion and even  add a sense of humor to the designs. I enjoyed the fact that there was no 'wrong' or 'right' way to create these designs so I was free to do as I felt. The task allowed me to start to think about ways I can recreate garments into something completely different just by doing things like cutting into them and turning them around. 

( Authors own 18/11/2014 )

I also started to work on the mannequin either garments I bought and played around with  concepts just trying to get ideas flowing through my brain and as a source of inspiration as I then created developments from work created on the mannequin.  I started I cut up and manipulate the fabric just to experiment and see what I could create. I found working with knit was most rewarding as I felt I could do a lot more with the fabric. I was able to create new textures and pulling and unwrapping the yard. For this reason I feel like it would be the most interesting to develop. 

(Authors own 18/11/2014)

I used all the designs I had create so far to create my initial designs. I also looked at the designer Gary Harvey as I loved his style if work. He recycled unusual objects to create wearable pieces on clothing. I think the fact that he creates wearable clothing was what interested me most able him. I used his style of work when creating my initial designs as I forcused on using things you wouldn't normally use and placating things in places you wouldn't normally put them with opened seams and uneven edges to recreate wearable desgins. 

We also placed are garments under the photocopier, manipulating the fabric to create the basics of more designs. I photocopied some of the garments I could find including ones I was wearing to try and create textiles like  patterns under the photocopier. We was then told to crate basic designs from the copes by drawing clothing and cutting into the copies. As I first I did not understand the reason for this task and tried to avoid doing it as I felt it would be no help to me and I did not understand the whole point of it. I also started to get annoyed with it as I felt like I was getting told different things which just lead to confusion. However after being Becca sat down and explained to me the whole point of the task and why she set it and understood why it was so important. The manipulation of the garments under the photocopier created folds, drapes, exposing seams and tags creating interesting designs. I then recreated the cut out designs by drawing it to see how it would look on the human body.

So far I'm not really enjoying this task as I feel it replies at lot on cutting, sticking and working on the mannequin and less on design drawings and developments which I feel is my strongest skill. For some reason I don't like working on the mannequin when it comes to creating and developing designs but was something I needed to do a lot in this project. Also because it's a 6 day project it is very intensive so once you is a day you feel like you missed a whole week and everyone else is on a different task. Which I experienced as I went to a open day and coming back to lessons was very demotivating. I've realised I really don't enjoy these intensive six day projects as I feel rushed and stressed but I understand the whole propose of these projects which is to get us use to working under pressure which will happen a lot in the fashion industry.    

Win or Loose

To summarise the final days in one word I would say 'stressful'. 

On Wednesday the day was filled with cramming in last minute work in order to caught up and outdo other groups. We wanted to ensure that we also produced worthy samples to the fashion name that are don't looked rushed ( even through they were). This is because there will be know way of hiding any faults as work will be examined and pick apart by other class mates. So we fault the best way of doing this is to get everyone working on creating samples ( aside from promotion). We did this by printing out Daisy's textile prints she hand made, collecting objects and different material around us such as thread and plastic cups. We did this to show that fabric does not have to be used to create garments showing you can make something out of nothing. We also used it as a way to promote recycling, which is always helpful. Everyone took a mannequin and start experimenting with shapes and materials by cutting, crumbling and repeating. When analysing her clothing I realised she likes to respect patterns/ shapes which makes the clothing so effective. The use of repeat creates a fabric like look which I really enjoy about her work. We also made a new mood board which was more interactive by adding textured samples and also making the actually mood board into a 3D shape. 

( Authors Own 13/11/2014 )

I could half heartily say I enjoyed this project for a few reasons. I understood the whole point of the project as in the fashion work it is very unlikely that we would work by yourself so we have to get use to working as a team and the problems that come with this. It's a way for me to get a taste of how life could be like for me in coming years. I also lie the idea of us already having a fashion house we're working under as it gave me a base to work from. I like that because I'm  able to work from something and most of the work is done for me which means I'm able to forces on just one section of the fashion industry which should of made things easier for me. It also was a learning experience because I leant about a new designer which I had not heard of before and looking into her work independently  I started to become a fan of her work and the artist take on fashion, which is something I could learn from. As I did fine art for over three years and it was something I really enjoyed I want to see if there is a way for me to combind the two. I'm going to start exploring this idea during free time and hopeful it should show through my work at uni too.

However what I did not like about this project is the group part and how if one person is lacking the whole group is. It relies heavily on team work and I think because I already knew built some type of friendship with basically everyone in the group beforehand ( aside from the new promotion student who joined) it was even harder. I did learn that I can't work  with friends as it's harder for things to be done as you don't want to hurt each other's feeling, as If I did not know then before it would be straight business (work) and I think it would of been easier for everyone to put their foot down and/or speak up. Although everyone did say their views and opinions things took longer to do because we was all so familiar with each other. 

        

Step Your Game Up !

Today out group regrouped after a long weekend and I was pleased to see the progress from everyone's work. We also had someone new added into our group as she was away sick for the previous days. Her role within the group will be promotion which means she'll be working closely with the other promotion student.  

In the morning me and the other designer who is also designing a garment sat together and looked through our designs, picking our favorites and showing it to the other team members getting their opinion as well. I produced my final designs by first creating initial designs using my theme idea, I then developed some of the initial designs. I did this by looking at my favorite designs, taking advice from others and taking aspects I think worked best on the designs to produced developments. I then took designs from my developments with some more adjustments and starting producing colorways. We also looked the Dasiy's patterns which she was producing on Photoshop using her textiles samples which will based on our designs. We looked through our favorites and wanted to experiment with how the patterns will look on out final ten designs. We then used Photoshop to reimpose Daisy's patterns onto our garments to produce a collection. The first sample of the collection we made was shown to the group where we all analysed it. I personally felt like the it looked like we was scared to use the print and we underused it. I felt like there was a lot of places where we could of put the print where we didn't.  We was then going to play around with my patterns and the placement of them further, but we was then called from a group presentation.

Doing the group presentation we explained the overall concept and we then went round quickly explaining what we was each doing using our book to show examples. This was a way for Becca to help us by explaining to us if we're on the right path or need to step our game up. What I got from Becca's review was that we really need to step our game up. All the designers and the textiles designer need to work together to produce a sample on the mannequin in order to offer a visual experience to the whole class when presenting, this is a way to give them a real life look on what it could look like as sometimes drawings don't do justice to the designs. It's also a way they can interact with us. We also had a look at the other groups who was also doing the same fashion house as us and we was shocked at what we saw. Tomorrow I'm going to start working on the mannequin trying to create more haute couture clothing as in my book I have ready to wear drawings. For my own personal work after working on the mannequin I'll take pictures and play around with it which could go towards to the promotion part.

As for now we all need to pull up our socks and get working as a group in order to make our presentation successful. I'm also going to go home and research more into her brand to see what kind of designs she has produced as a way to give me direction but also avoid recreating pieces. I'm also going use this as a way to figure out her style, also looking at the promotion side of things. This will also help me when designing as it gives me an idea of the type of customer I will be designing for which is important in order to cater to her existing customers. 

Is This Really Group Work ?

Coming in today my aim was to complete which I could no do at home such as more mannequin work, printing & photocopying as development. I also wanted where my group was with their own personal development and look at other groups progress and work as a way to compare to push us further. 

Starting off today I had the mind set that everyone was doing their own thing and looking at for their self which was very annoying and meant I had to work ten times harder. I thought the whole point of the group work is to get a sense of how the industry would be where everyone had their set roles and we all relay on each other In order to get the work done. It's also meant to spend up the process for everyone as they get to concentrate on just their area. Like me for example, I am the designer in the group along side two others which means I'll meanly be working with the others to ensure that although we all have are different themes we are still or on the same page in sense of the overall look. I'll also be working very closely with the textiles to designer. As she'll be looking at my work as a source or direction and inspiration. Then we all come together an bring are finished out final concept to the promotion team member so she can then design the right feel for are concept. But this was not what was happening. 

I decided to call a group meeting at 2:30pm to work on the 'issues' within the group in order to get this project done and to a great quality. This was due to having a tutor speak to us one on one confirming that we're not working as a group. After the meeting I think a few things were sorted out and nearly one one understood the whole point of the project and I'm starting to feel like we're on the same page now (although some on a different paragraph). 

As for my own personally development and work and started to do my initial designs and I've made samples from these designs which I've started to play with and explore using the mannequin to create designs as a way to further develop ideas and start to think about her certain sections within my design could be created. 

( Authors own 06/11/2014 )

I'm enjoying the whole idea of this project  and I like that fact that I'm working within a fashion house which means most things are already done for me such as the branding and unique selling point.     

Moldy Cheese

Today was the second day of our project and the cracks are beginning to show. 

I thought the group was going way but the group is starting to divide. Working as a group means that everyone has to add their opinions but also compromise so that everyone feels valued and also everyone's personally shows through in the work. However, in my group they was an individual who felt like she wanted to do her own person project. We discussed previously what everyone should have the the book and I made sure everyone was clear on this and everyone agreed that the work would be done and they fully understood. But clearly not everyone did, I feel like this individual is not taking the project as seriously as others, she explain to us her concern of not being able to finish her work in time which we all understood and promise to help her with however we have not seen a wiliness to do the work and we feel like she's excusing herself. This is the disadvantage of working in a group as you're not only responsible for yourself but others and one bad seed can spoil a good batch. She is a lovely individual but just not lovely to work with. I'm not sure on what the best step is to take now but there's no time for stalling so as a group we just have to move on and keep the door open for her. 

Today as a group we mainly did our personal work and showed each other what we had and where we was going with it to pass on inspiration to each other. I'm not sure if I'm enjoying this task or not as the benefits and disadvantages are equal. One benefit is that I get to collaborate with other students creating this I've never done before such as a promotion film. 

Moving on to my own personal progress, I've started to draw a few initial sketches in my book by looking more into my sub theme. I started by looking a the mold and what it means to me. I personally describe mood as something bet dominate which takes over and changes something at the end of their life cycle and creates new life (rebirth). This also reminds me of the quote "even if only for a while". Using this I wanted to create designs that show this.

( Authors own 04/11/2014 )

While exploring my theme I started looking closely into the shapes, I used these shapes I saw to start exploring designs on the mannequin, exploring shapes and trying to create three dimensional designs. I did this in order to get the juices flowing for my initial designs. I used mainly paper to do this as I wanted a blank converse to work on so that I only forces on the design which is my position in the group project. At this moment in time I'm sure where I'm going with this and what my final outcome is so I'm just going with the flow which will hopefully work out to my benefit. 

    

Rebirth

Today was the first day of are new project  and I can already forecast that this project will be much better than the previous.

I started off by first taking the trips given to me from my tutor Rebecca in regard of my sketch book. Last term I had a A4 portrait book were the presentation was not consistent thought out my book. This is because I was switching from landscape to portrait making it look confusing. Also working with a small book meant I had to downsize my work and squeeze in information due to lack of space which you could clearly see, this jeopardised the overall standard & look. For this reason I went and bought myself an A3 land cap sketch book as I feel I would work best in this time of book. This is because it's much bigger and I found that I enjoyed working landscape more. 

We started of the new term by getting placed into groups of around five in according to the designer we wanted to work with and the role we would like to play. We had a range of designers to pick from and all had very different styles, this was good as my class if filled with such a range of people who are have different styles. Picking a range of designers meant at least one would appear to each person. The roles we had to choice from included : 

• Textiles designer
• Designer 
• Promotion 

In my group we have one textiles designer, three designers (including me) and one promotion person. The designer we all picked is called iris van herpen

The reason as to why I picked this designer was aside from the fact I feel in love with her work, I also felt it would challenge me as a designer which is always important for personal development. I love the way her work had craftsmanship and innovation in technique and materials. She had a mordern view on Haute Coutre and uses beauty and regeneration to express the character and emotions of a women. As a group we wanted to challenge this but also stick true to her brand and style. 

We decided to come up of a concept which did this and we named it rebirth. We came across this idea of the human life cycle and also explore the idea of being 'rebirth'. This came about by first brain storming initial ideas and looking at a quotes we was given which was : 

"There are massive gaps in this essay, it is broken and re-wound, not always knowing and yet searching. Respond, exchange, converse. Be a traveler in this Novel, even if only for a while." 

Out of this quote what stood out to is was "even if only for a while". This is because we've decided to do a theme within a theme. As we have three designers in out group we split are aelf up into what we came to our mind when looking at the designer. As for me I decided to with looking at mold as I was interesting on her the natural form created patterns and the natural forming shapes. I also wanted to look at femininity and masculinity as I contrast as I felt her work really focused on the female body so I wanted to shake things up by adding a different trust to it. Using my idea and the other two we realised how they all linked to each other and create a human life cycle. Looking at life (mold), death and rebirth. This came about when looking at the quote as we felt like "even if for a while" related to life and the cycle it goes through until we die. I felt like the quote was very dark and when I think of dark I think of black which is very overpowering and strong which is how I came up with femininity vs masculinity. 

Now taking all this information I'm going to make a concept board and then use images from the concept the development initial theme ideas ready for tomorrow. I'm also going to look for images to put in the group concept board as a way to sum up our concept. 

So far I've enjoyed working with my group everyone is really positive and we all bounce of each other. I have a strong feeling I'm going to really enjoy working with my group as I can already forecast that we are going to be on organised plus we're all very competitive (which is great).   

(Authors own 04/11/2014)