Developing Shapes

This week I felt like the fabrics I have been making were too similar to my initial samples, and I had come to a standstill with my ideas. I decided to take some new photos of the skin for new inspiration, but instead of wrapping it in different materials I used fishing wire. I did this to take the attention away from the materials I was using and to keep it only on the skin.

My photographs provided me with a lot of shapes to work from, and I particularly like how the skin turned from a flat surface into a three dimensional surface with a lot of movement. 

http://media-cache-cd0.pinimg.com/originals/96/1f/78/961f789daf03c4f7b7ecf465a1b7074b.jpg

Chloe SS13

http://theglobalskin.org/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/sonja-baeumel_crocheted-membrane1.jpg

Sonja Baeumel

"(In)Visible Membrane"

Cut Out, Dissect, Extract, Sections, Empty Space 

http://www.designcatwalk.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/jolka-wiens-05.jpg

Jolka Wiens SS12

Laser cut Neoprene

https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqa3QGA7PLQwn8OT6Ul_ZvthhV1D_rCZY-DhPkla1Q_72o6hXKcE4Ms2X2u748nasFGVWwFoUbtVdmJcJ7Tpcgr3DXOcKXD3UtgjVMzlLcxL49h96FReIrMYI9OBgmFDAlLLG44MJBe-xn/s1600/alexander+wang+SS13+Lookbook+steffanilouise1.jpg

Alexander Wang SS13

Laser cut

Exposing Skin

Incorporting Skin
Revealing Skin

Reorganising Negative Space:

This drawing is far more successful then my drawings from the previous week as despite having organic shapes, there is also a structured controlled element.

 

http://www.e-architect.co.uk/images/jpgs/amsterdam/arcam_rvz050109_luukkramer_1.jpg

http://museum-amsterdam.info/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/Rene%20van%20zuuk%20architekten.jpg

Rene Van Zuuk

Shape

After my photography of skin wrapped in electrical tape was so successful I wanted to carry on exploring it, but on a larger scale. I decided to cover more of the body then I had done before, and found I had more space to explore how I wrapped the tape around.

My drawings focusing on negative space have given me some nice shapes to work from, but I fear they are too organic looking when my research is very structural. I must ensure that when I am  drawing, I am drawing for the right reasons.

 

 http://www.thereal-runway.com/images/sized/images/uploads/LFWSS2013PamHoggCatwalkLhAAMGHZT4rl-266x400.jpg

http://www.160grams.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/MG_9578.jpg

Pam Hogg SS13

Developing my ideas

The photographs I had previously taken of skin trapped beneath fabrics were not as impacting as I had hoped. I decided to revisit my idea of trapping skin beneath materials, but I will try using materials that have more flexibility, this will mean I can trap the skin tighter. This will also enhance my concept of restricting the skin as well as helping to exaggerate shapes made by the skin.

I first began experimenting with clingfilm as it has a rubbery skin like quality, as well as having the ability to confine the body.

http://payload32.cargocollective.com/1/4/138188/2955819/SS_Lise_PaleAmber_0900_2.jpg

Christina Ledang SS13

Latex

I also explored electrical tape, a material I had previous experimented with in my initial samples, that also has a skin type texture.

http://www.artnau.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Marina-Hoermanseder_25.jpg

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/01/17/article-2541386-1ABE83AC00000578-575_964x605.jpg 

Marina Hoermanseder SS14

 The forms created when the tape was wrapped tightly around the skin has given me shapes that I can replicate in my samples. The drawing I created in electrical tape has provided me with more structured shapes with less fluidity then the ones in the photograph, but by combining the two will allow me to create contrast and diversity in my fabrics.

Creating my initial fabric samples

 Overall I am slightly disappointed with my initial samples. I am most disappointed with the colour palette I have used. The shades of pinks/flesh tones are not the same shades as the ones found in my photographs, and are not as sophisticated as my research, ideas and target markets are. They are very dull colours especially when placed next to the black and grey yarns I am using.

 

http://ecofriend.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/biocouture_vegetable_leather_for_the_future_7ctbu.jpg

Susan Lee 

I am pleased with the techniques I have used, and my exploration of different materials I could incorporate into my samples like PVC, electrical tape and elastic tapes. Including different materials that posses skin like qualities allowed me to trial and error more ideas, as well as pushing my technical ability.

The black antara yarn used in the image above was a new discovery for me. The appearance and texture of this yarn has a rubbery skin like quality, as well as providing a three dimensional feature.

To enable me to create more successful samples I must rework my colour palette by developing my photos and drawings, focusing on colour. By reducing the variety of shades and colours I use will help my samples to have a cleaner finish, and look less high street. I must also start creating my samples at a larger scale as working small is hindering me.

The Start of Unit X

For my Unit X project, I want to develop my previous work based on entrapment, and physically restricting fashion. So for this project, I shall be focusing on trapping the body, specifically distorting and confining the skin. My final outcome for this project will be a series of high-end fabrics for womenswear, specifically designed for fashion followers.

I began my research by looking at the colour, textures and movement of skin which reminded me of qualities that can be found in fabrics. I then sourced fabrics that possessed these similar qualities, and photographed elements of the body trapped beneath them.

http://www.designboom.com/weblog/images/images_2/erica/483/wow01.jpg

'Bloom Skin'

Visual designers WOW wave installation for Issey Miyake SS12 collection

 

http://www.blueskygallery.org/exhibition/june-yong-lee/#1

June Yong Lee Artist

"Torso Series"

 

http://11even.net/wp-content/uploads/Photo-Art-by-Vadim-Stein-1.jpg

Vadim Stein 

Photographer

http://i0.wp.com/www.fashionisingpictures.net/runway/gareth-pugh-autumn-fall-winter-2014-pfw17.jpg

Gareth Pugh AW14 

Trapped, Covered, Stretched

Exploring the features of skin has given me ideas for colour and yarns I can begin to sample with. The focus of my initial samples is to translate skin like qualities into them, and experiment with materials that aren't conventionally used in knit. The word 'trapped' relates a lot to my initial photographs, and I want that to come across in my samples by trapping materials and yarns in my samples.