Charlotte Edyvean Contact: charlotte2.edyvean@live.uwe.ac.uk
UADARX-45-1 Exploring Practice in Fashion Textiles
Superhuman
Synopsis Artificial, mechanical, robotic; let down by human anatomy, but it is not the end of life. With the aid of an engineered mechanical breathing machine, pumps, pipes, valves, and ventilators support our life, prolonging death. We no longer need our organs to live. The body is activated and now controlled by a computer. I will explore the relationship between the natural state of the human body, and how this is fought with machines when our biological anatomy has failed us. Are we really living as human, if the body has been modified and replaced by mechanics? How long can we control mortality for? The form follows a historical approach, taking inspiration from uniforms of military, fire service and medical aid workers in the 1900’s. The product; a breathing bag, consists of a singular drawstring compartment, with straps in which to hold and oxygen tank. The lower half of the bag consists of a bellowed bottom, which allows the bag to expand and contract, simulating the motion of a breathing lung as it fills with oxygen. The collection of garments follows this traditional line too, with the use of pleats to resemble the inflation and collapse of a mechanical pump, contrasted with a lightweight, sheer cape which is inspired by the shape of a natural lung; voluminous and filled with air. The gathered sleeves and trouser legs within the collection follow the intricacies of the human body – when outstretched they run for miles, but held together all twisted and ruched, they work to form something more complex. Natural and fleshy coloured contrasting with the deeper greens and blues of medical kit and uniforms, we see the artificial verses the biological. The print is subtly etched into the coating of the garments; like a tattoo on the skin, again the body has been modified and enhanced by technology. The feel is luxurious and light, sheer parachute silk contrasted with a heavier weight gabardine, leatherettes and suede to create a protective outwear layer. We are now fully armoured and immune from illness and disease. We are unbreakable, we are now Superhuman.
Evaluation Throughout this project there have been many challenges; I am really pleased with how I have adapted to the current situation and have worked from home effectively. Having extremely little experience in using digital programmes such as Photoshop and InDesign, I am really pleased with how I have been able to clean up images, digitalise drawings and add colour, using Photoshop, in particular with my line-up. I now feel that my skills within Photoshop and InDesign have progressed immensely and I now feel confident using both programmes. I would have liked to have also developed my skills within Illustrator to be able to draw technical flats which are digital as opposed to my hand rendered ones – this is something which I will look grow my skills in moving into the second year and become more confident using this programme. I am really pleased with the progress of my designs and the development of my line-up. I feel that the collection works well together in a cohesive manner. I would however have liked to engaged with more technical sampling in different areas – I was able to test out laser cutting and etching into leather, however now that I have resolved my collection further, I would like to have tested this on different materials also. I wish to explore further into knitwear specifically, as I feel that this could have added some nice textures to my collection. This is something I will look to do moving forwards into the second year.