How the range developed . .

Heres a few pages on how I developed to come up with the capsule collection (just quick sketches):

This is a rough working drawing of the coat I am going to make:

The upper half has a strong and masculine silhouette but the lower half will appear softer and more elegant. The coat is asymetric and yes there is an asymetric coat in the current McQueen collection but I am going to make this my own! The design for this was a result from all my research. Underneath the coat will be dress. I am thinking of using a blue print on the dress as seen on the drawing from the range. This print is still developing but I am likely to use a primary image and manipulate it. The bottom right corner is the dress I am going to make and the shaded panels will be printed. Overall I think both pieces will be a strong reflection of my concept board and I cannot wait to make them! I have already started pattern cutting and it has been frustrating already with the asymetric design but ready to make a toile now!

DRAPING!

Some draping I did last week:

I particularly liked the fraying detail on the black cotton fabric although fraying detail is already used in the current a/w collection. However I was thinking it could be inserted into the seams to make to garment look deconstructed...this idea could be developed. Overall I did not find anything too inspiring from draping as from my research I have more structured shapes. Maybe I need need to use stronger fabrics?

19th March 2010

Class -
The same routine again with presentations in the morning. I thought this week presentations went really well with interesting and engaging information - everyone is stepping up! Then in the afternoon we all showed each other in our groups our initial range - a 6 piece capcule collection. Here is the feedback from my group (head designers) for my range:

• Possibly too many details but this can be condensed for diffusion range.
• Develop further to gain details such as seam lines, pockets, fastenings etc so the design is visually clear to someone and able to pattern cut/sew it from the drawing.
• Draw clearly the design in mind (e.g. the last design).
• Good colour palette especially the hints of blue.
• Although many details the range still pulls through as a colletion.
• Good use of asymetric lengths.

Here is the collection but will be developed further. I am planning to make the coat (second from end) and a dress which is worn underneath which I will post up a drawin of later. The dress will be printed:

12th March 2010

I did not attend class on Friday but I continued with the design development exercises in my own time. Exercises for this week was to sketch out design ideas for coats/jackets, trousers and dresses. I feel that I am working more freely now and becoming more inspired with my research. In these exercises I have come up with a few ideas, which I particularly favour, to develop further.

5th March 2010

Morning Class -
Again it was presentations in the morning. We went through eight which was probably slightly too many to sit through. However I did find the presentations insightful.
Afterwards there was a presentation from Karen about construction of fabrics - warp and weft - the different ways the fabric is weaved creates a different appearance. She also introduced us to a 'special' magnify glass which would make it easier to determine the construction of the fabric.

Afternoon -
Design exercises again! This time it was sleeves, shirts and skirts. Again I found it quite difficult to churn out the ideas, but probably slightly more inspired this week as I have progressed with research. I still do not think that these exercises are really helping me. I would rather spend more time working on sketchbook and gathereing more research to develop designs. At the moment I am just doing these exercises because I have to and I am not producing designs that I particularly like. Although I do like the odd one! Here are some pages from the exercise:

Pre Fall/Winter 2010

Prints: Skeleton, skull, rope, pait, butterfly morph kaleidoscope.

Silhouettes: Fitted, tailored, asymmetric, draped.

Colours: Chalk white, grpahite greys, black, copper, shades of brown.

Fabrics/textures: Silk, lace, wool, jersey.

Details: Frayed edges, eyelets, asymmetric layers, panels.

I am glad to see some ideas from my concept in here such as the deconstuction/destroyed aspect in the frayed edges. Also some strong correlation in colours although I may use less white, more browns with hints of blue and green.

Presentation feedback comments - 26th Feb

From Sian:

• Confident in subject - able to understand and memorise information without referring to notes.
• Good slides.
• In depth analysis and research on McQueen.
• Good reference to Shibori.
• Excellent concept board and primary research.

:)

Quick Sketching: Silhouettes, Cuffs and Collars.

Some pages from silhouettes, cuffs and collars sketching exercises.

26th Feb

Morning class

So the same routine as last week . .. presentations! most people were picked from last week but were absent so did them this week. There was only one name that needed to be drawn out this week and (be careful what you wish for) ...its was lucky me! I actually got picked but I was not expecting it as I thought I wouldn't be so 'lucky'. But I just went for it and got through it! Super glad its over now! Now I can just watch and listen every week :)

Afternoon

20 minute sessions! We had to sketch as many cuff, silhouette and collar ideas, each in 20 minute periods. This was based from some of our research and fabric samples. I found it quite difficult as I felt it was slightly random and forced. I think this would be a better exercise once we have gathered all our research and are starting to develop designs. Trying to design from rough research made me think too hard as there was not enough to inspire me. Working and developing our sketchbook would make better use of the time at this stage.

By next week- complete 6 sheets each for silhouette, cuffs and collars (quick sketches and colour).