market research

Topshop jewelery

1.

2. and 3.

Its is all about the finished edge, an element of professionalism, an attention to detail, every aspect considered. I feel the first necklace is an example of this, it is not the main feature that is souly considered, it is the consideration of the chain and fastening that adds up to something of higher interest. This is also something that effects the price range of an item.

But what I am foremost looking to illustrate here, is the technique represented in the second two necklaces, the beaded intersections, where the beading and embellishment is applied onto a harder surface. It is something I find intriguing whilst looking into the consideration of how to finish of and neaten my skull caped head wear.

Skull caps

I have been finding this project difficult due to the prospect of possibility and time constraints. The unlimited possibilities of technique and outcome have been bounding me rather than liberating me.

I have therefore decided to embark on a prospective outcome and from there within these chosen constraints I can allow myself to experiment along its design journey.

That chosen outcome is the idea of a cutwork form of skullcap through using the techniques of free machine embroidery and bonding.

Upon looking up the definition of veils, I came across the definition of "Protection from the elements". From this I was inspired to use this to become, protection from the elements with the elements. Using an elemental symbology to construct a skull cap and attachable veils.


TO WRITE A NEW MANIFeSTO

a childlike naivety
a DIY aesthetic
painterly
an element of fun
edges are important
head cages and harnesses

Veil definition - For protection from the elements

Protecting with the elements,
Protection, shield, cushion, screen

Endeavors in free machine embroidery cut work for the skull cap. The above images are for a calico toile, where I was attempting to work out the shape and form that the cap would make, using a pattern of sunshines and demon explosions. This has half worked, although the wadding applied has not given it enough bounce which has also resulted in making the form too stiff, it doesn't flow with the head. This will have to be something which is addressed.

VEILS + CUT OUTS

It was mentioned in my feedback from the previous project that I should begin to consider creating my own netting to build upon. After a few futile attempts of knotting systems, I began to consider the idea of the cut out. Creating the netting myself, by leaving a skeleton of the original fabric. By doing this by hand I think it does give it an interesting quality but when trying to get more of a regimented pattern, it became alot more time consuming and messy, hinting for a bit more refinement.

From this I came to the decision that I should use the laser cutter, a much quicker (once the file was prepared) and precise process. I do still value the initial hand cuts and think they have potential but the laser cuts have produced an excting surface to build upon. Especially the one on the smaller scale, where it has seemingly been cut so close together the fabric has slightly melted and it has resulted in a very similar quality to netting. Giving a deceiving strength to a fabric that was initially relaxed.

UNIT X

NETTING SKELETONS
To begin. For this new leaf of project I want to begin with continuing the idea and surface construction of the veil. Skin is important. Looking to use netting as a skeleton and vessel to build upon, creating areas of disguise and areas of clarity. Continuing with the elemental colour symbology to illustrate.

I have been focusing on ways in which to build up a solid surface, allowing for areas of revealing and concealing what lies beneath. The above samples have worked in certain ways but seem to be a bit crafty, the colours certainly need work as they are not satisfying my pallet. I think these techniques could work, but need to be explored more and maybe viewed with a technique of more refinement, I like the contrast.

My minor and major project have quite a clear progression from one to the other. For my minor project was the experimentation with charms and materials, working small, finding my feet, testing the elements. Working with macrame, painting stones, resin, tassels, paper rolling, making my own beads. This led on to a breakthrough moment with the use of wrapping and the figure of 8 wrap around chain, propelling me into my major project. I experimented with the idea of line through chain wraps keeping a strong element of fun with the proposed outcome of pushing the work for my live brief, the L'aiguille en Fete in Paris. My major project became a feed for my live brief and therefore on the deadline of the live brief, it slightly felt like my major project had concluded to give way for the next part. I had been growing increasingly interested in constructing headwear, the idea of chained cages upon which to embellish and adorn. For unit X I intend to carry through the part of the project I have already embarked upon, inquiring into head wear and masks. Head cages and veils. Experimenting more with the application and the embellishment. Revealing and Concealing the face.

I think I have worked well through this project and although it took me a while to find my feet, this can really be seen through the progression of my work. I am beginning to get quite a clear idea of where I want to take my work in the future and am looking forward to Unit X, where I will continue the progression of the phase of the project I have already started.

With a growing relationship with materials I have more and more references to refer back to in the coming project. Many of the techniques I have used in this project I hope to utilize in the next and by keeping technical notebooks both to help me think and to construct plans and record processes, this should aide me.

Contextual references and inspiration are important for me in my working progress. At the beginning of this project I don't feel I cast my net wide enough, not studying a varied or extreme enough artists/designers. As the project continued I feel I began to see this and alter it accordingly.

For Unit X I need to improve on my photography skills and start photographing my pieces upon the body, something that I haven't utilized enough in this project. I think by doing this I can start to look at the styling and visualization part of my work, experimenting with how I want it to be portrayed. I also want to play with a more handcrafted idea of visualization, experimenting with collage, to propose an idea of head wear without it being too literal.

Meadham Kirchhoff

Veils at Meadham Kirchhoff

Fall RTW 2014

FALL 2010RTW

Meadham Kirchhoff as well as having extreme high fashion collections have also done collections for Topshop. Where what I like about Meadham Kirchhoff in particular is that even though the clothes have to be paired down for a high street customer budget, they still seem to stay reasonably wild and true to their design ethic. Creating crazy interesting designs for both sides of the budget market, therefore providing for a wider audience. This is something I would like to explore in my future practice, and the idea of collaborating with established retail stores.

All Images Harpers Bazaar

experimenting with veil and head cage constructions

caged constructions

bigger veil

smaller veil

Even after cutting the veil down to size, I think I still need to work on the sizing a bit, as it is still a bit too buoyant. As I used quite a wide width of veil it has made the top of it stick up maybe a bit too much. I also need to continue the embellishment of the veil as the build up of decoration is not at a high enough degree yet. I want it to be half mask, half veil, revealing and concealing parts of the face.

Silicone and beading.
Building a surface.