Design Philosophy

After thinking about my identity as a designer and putting together my design philosophy I feel much happier about starting major project preparation. It really got me to think about things that are important to me and how I develop my style. At first I felt really uptight and worried about the project, but now I have started to look into my identity things are beginning to fall into place. After just feeling completely confused and unhappy yesterday I started questioning myself and what I'm doing and why I'm doing it, something I found upsetting at the time, but I can look at everything in a different light today. I needed to stop over worrying about everything and think personally about my ideas and talk them through in a tutorial and have somebody listen to them, and it really helped. I think when I woke up this morning I had a different view and positive outlook on what I hope to get out of this unit. I am excited about exploring new techniques and different pathways and the most important thing is making sure even if certain processes don't have successful outcomes, it will all go towards building a foundation of knowledge to support my final collection.

Before and After

Above are the before pictures of the basic garments I started with.

Above this is the roll nect top I created for under the shirt.

Above the finished product.

Deconstruction Workshop

I feel the deconstruction workshop was a good way to start major project preparation. At first I felt a bit like I'd been thrown in to the deep end, but that made me act fast and use my creativity to the max. Rather than working on one idea or concept and pursuing that, this exercise got me to think fast about different ideas and opportunities that I could achieve with the few materials that I had. I decided to get a basic shirt and pair of tailored trousers from a charity shop and also found various old ties. I had half a metre of stretch, textured and printed fabrics to work with. As a designer I felt it important to make the most of the garments that were there and to construct something out of the fabrics I had. I decided to layer strips of lace onto the shirt, concentrating on details and distorting them, the lace gave an appearance of block panels down the front of the shirt and the lace pocket was moved to create a double pocket effect. Out of the stretch fabric I constructed an over sized roll neck sleeveless top to sit under the shirt, to continue with the layering concept. I was really pleased on how the trousers turned out, I cut them up to 3/4 length and tailored in a skinny leg. The shape that was created, I was really pleased with, and I would like to continue this idea further into research for preparation.

Although initially I felt not quite sure what direction to head in, and didn't really feel that enthusiastic about the exercise, by the end of the day I had achieved an outfit that has generated some good ideas that I want to carry through to the next stage of research. Documenting every stage of the processes that I conduct is so beneficial to go back and evaluate and reflect on, by photographing stages of this workshop helped me understand and improve the transitions I was creating. In past projects and workshops this is something I have ended up in wishing I had done more frequently, its not easy to remember, for me anyway! Especially as I want to carry some of the silhouettes through to further study, I have digital reference to look back on.

Start to the year

After not really knowing what to expect from today's events and feeling quite anxious about meeting the new tutors I feel much more relaxed about it all now! First thing this morning the new course leader Anne gave a presentation about what she hopes the students will be achieving this year and a little bit about herself. It was a really good way of knowing what to expect and even though it is quite daunting it was presented in an informal way to make it seam abit more familiar. Which I was very grateful for as I'm not used to the BA system yet, although I'm sure I'll get there. I have noticed some differences within the way FdA and BA Fashion communicate, but I do feel there is support there if I feel I don't understand something but do feel confident that I'll be fine, however it is reassuring to know that help is there if I do need it. Some notes I took in the presentation - - Quote by Martin Raymond, editor of Viewpoint - Designers are; concept creators, visualisers, provocative and visionary, opinion formers, pro-active, intuitive - Some opportunities in the current climate are greater overseas than in the UK, something to consider for future/career - The overseas global market is high - Possible trip to Beijing - Getting big companies involved in collaborations with student work to involve the latest technology - Project surgery; one afternoon a week to discuss any project / ideas / careers / further study, such as MA in 15 minute slots for any student - Identity/individuality is crucial - Fusion of tradition and technology - Awareness of craft and technology is essential - Career after BA - Need to understand and gain more knowledge of business, (eg. Richard Branson) - Need to be entrepreneurial - Help prepare/think about the future - Produce a concept that is not visual, use senses, smell, music - Possible collaboration with a 'communicator' - Make conscientious choices - Designers are decision makers/problem solvers - Trends and demographics - Conceptual, craft, market specific, opinion forming, styling, design and promotion, habitat, contract, group defined - Multitasking - Good websites; lifesigns network/all designers are wankers - Fashion event, end of year show (Bournemouth show) bigger than a catwalk show, its another option to graduate fashion week - Collaborative presentations - Selling collections, retail spaces - How is retail space used? - Decide what your specialism is - Networking is crucial - Proposals to fabric companies to supply fabric for collection - Design isn't always about signature acts, but about collective and interactive gestures So many of these points that were mentioned could open up all sorts of opportunities for me and improving my work, with the proposal to a fabric company. Open minded feelings about menswear, also bringing in menswear specialists and designers that I can learn from. A possible collaboration between myself another student whether it be a model maker (shoes), a communicator (promotion and retail of collection). I do feel like its a really positive start to the new year, whether I feel like that throughout I don't know but a positive start is always good to me.

Back to uni tomorrow - Feels a bit strange, excited but slightly anxious about what to expect. After such a long summer its hard to get into the right state of mind ready for work. I think I'll feel better after tomorrow and the briefing, I'm quite worried about the investigative study. Writing really isn't a strong point of mine in fact its probably one of my weaknesses and I didn't do that well last year, but I'm hoping I can learn from last years mistakes and consider things that last year I didn't. Anyway I'll know soon enough the wait is nearly over - and I'll see what tomorrow brings!

Preliminary Research Ideas

My first thoughts after trying to draft a learning agreement for major project prep, I have certain ideas that I can't seem to get out of my head, I'm excited about them, but they are not set in stone. I will record these musings and refer back at a later date, to see how they have developed, changed or progressed. - Six outfits to complete a menswear collection - Designing for Autumn/Winter 2011 - Comply with a live project/competition/graduate fashion week - Tartans and traditional fabrics - Possibly recycled/vintage fabrics - Concept- phobias/turning something gruesome into something beautiful - Personal feelings/phobia - Introduce knitwear pieces - Tailored pieces- suit jackets, waist coats, trousers, overcoats/trench coats - Exploration of details- pockets, pleats, plackets, collars - Designer influence Fall 2010- Alexander McQueen, Alessandro Dell'Acqua, Burberry Prorsum - Sinister look