Negative screen prints

Using special fabric and a special screen printing ink I was able to create this effect as a pose to ordinary screen printing. This made me think about what I wanted to make for my final garments. I have decided that if it is possible within time constraints I would like to make two dresses intended for both sexes. One black dress with the negative screen prints and one made from cream calico with digital printing and screen printing.

Androgony

I have been exploring androgyny for a while and this is some of the research of designers I have looked into.
Nathan Jenden was one of the first designers I explored. Some of his women's wear has a masculine feel to it, the women are wearing suits in the image below. I am interested in androgony as it takes away the typical sex roles and portrays that no matter what the sex you can do and be what you feel like. Times before the 1920's it would have been unacceptable for a women to wear trousers and a suit, the 20's was a massive influence in changing this.

http://www.fashionmefabulous.com/2009/02/london-fashion-week-favorites-so-far.html

Theres something interesting about the change in attitudes of women's wear, but it seems that in mens wear it isnt widely accepted that they can wear skirts or a dress, I want to test this and experiment with an unacceptable world. Testing peoples attitudes towards fashion excites me, I want it to be acceptable for both a man and a women to be able to wear the same garment. 

Looking back at KTZ mens wear the idea that men can wear feminine clothes has been tested and in my opinion works well, they appear to be both suitable for both sexes. This collection is from the AW 2013. 

http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/designers_profile.aspx?DesignerID=1047

http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/designers_profile.aspx?DesignerID=1047

http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/designers_profile.aspx?DesignerID=1047

http://www.londonfashionweek.co.uk/designers_profile.aspx?DesignerID=1047

It is interesting how KTZ has explored feminine clothing on males. I have taken huge inspiration from KTZ throughout this project and the research conduced has heavily influenced my ideas towards my garment and my sampling.

MintDesigns

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5qtvYFJPZYs64hIEj2xoUtBpXM4sds83o5SD2lWUp11AXgzYBSZ6LFVOgaCWOSRn5Lrul_UWKn00uPlM5K7xi5ompYEdEzVnueOx-Y8vy9AxxCErsd1dn-RD6YSwD-_wTMuG6UeIUto/s1600/mint-designs02.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPs_VIed24Vch0bYN036BrtI9k-yFS-FESqik3XoiiuUS1DC4qrlYCEK1tOGH1jlDcEE8jtyhAzyvLHdZmSRxa7UK-Lxabcf87vTeoWSeBUtMqnuk_kKBoX3MoX8KydNBDcdcYNHPamMzu/s1600/DSC03808.jpg

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8_Sk9RdGyQi1O08df2_ncPYfpeHD9XLcUkjkOccz4T_O3vHzZa2k05PA9Yy0VT372o8zsuSuN65oTDynZryaa_bKRZyJlbj0B-h9PSu91ZReQ9MXjvyRLHIcbn9vRP0URQm3-GHYk-yg/s1600/mint-designs01.jpg

Marios 'Nowhere' collection

Marios' Summer 2012 collection uses imagery printed onto fabric. I want to experiment with this, but then layer over the top of the print. This is made possible as we have a digital printer to print whatever we want onto fabric. Working with my monochrome colour scheme, I will edit my images to grey scale and then print them.
I have noticed that all these garments have very simple pattern and shape. I want to test the idea of menswear by creating a dress that can be worn by males as well as females.

http://www.marios.eu/

http://www.marios.eu/

http://www.marios.eu/

http://www.marios.eu/

Ghad Amer

http://www.coins-bloc.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/ghada-amer-003.jpg

Using machine threads I wanted to create a similar look to Amer's work, the white against the black isnt something that I had considered exploring. By leaving threads hanging, I want to main stitch to be embroidered typography from the brewery.

Tucker Schwarz

(2008). Contemporary Textiles. London: Black Dog Publishing. 79.

Schwarz uses free machine stitch to draw buildings and features of buildings, I thought I could use his work to influence some of mine. He makes the buildings look complex, in my person opinion he can make them look derelict too, like the brewery. Simply highlighting the outline and some of the key features, Schwarz draws the building with thread. Leaving the threads hanging creates a complex feeling, like there is more to the building than is actually shown. The way he uses different colours of threads isnt something I enjoy about his work and think using one colour of thread would be a lot more effective for my building.

Using a deep red thread to draw the outline of the brewery blend the outside to in (red text and machinery featured within the building). I want to try working with free machine stitch and text and see how this works together, I dont want to cut the remaining threads off from the stitch and they soften the harsh edges. 

Life Drawing

I went to my first life drawing session, not thinking i would be able to produce anything like decent. I was actually quite impressed with my outcomes, my proportions are good. I wanted to do this so it would help with my fashion illustration