Following a very enlightening sustainable fashion workshop hosted by Deborah Britz I had a better understanding of the possibilties within sustainability. The workshop witrh Anti-Form (Amazing!) was most insightful. Due to a small group I had the opportunity to ask may questions and better understood the possibilities in sourcing textiles and trim and building a range from what you find and is available to the designer. The workshop with Traid to was filled with useful information. The presentation by New Look opened up possibilites and highlighted the responsii blities within a fast fashion framework. This in light of the resent disaster in Bangladesh only reinn forces the need for change not only as designers but also as consumers of fast fahion. During my information gathering and researching sustainable fashion.I found myself questioning the value of a sustainable system. It is without a doubt a fundamental factor in any design proo cess especially with regard to the environment and human well-being. However, ultimately prodd uct must sell in order to sustain a business, thus encouraging further consumption in one form or another. Following a visit to the British Library to view the Propaganda and Persuasion exhibition it got me thinking about the propagation and consumption of ideals and ideologies. This became the foundation for my concept and I found similarities between the 1920’s-30’s and contempo rary society. I furthered my exploration into reactionist artist then such as the Dadaist movement and contemporary artist. I was aware that it is a very large topic and I found myself spending to much time on my research. I also had to find a way to communicate my concept succinctly and found this in the “Cock and Snook” figure of speech which means to poke fun or ridicule. I liked the playfulness and child-like hand jesture and felt it worked. Once `I had established this I built my consumer profile, market and moodboard.and decided that textile waste, specifically graphic prints would work best for my Autumn/Winter collection specifically graphic t-shirts and hoodies I could “snook” (as one would deface magazine pages with doodles) using surface design techniques such as embroidery and embellishment. This I would then collage together and the material would also provide the stretch I needed.. I aslo ree searched naturtal dyeing (Jane Palmer, Noon Design - water/energy low and can be re-used) stitch and low tech print techniques, specifically stamping. I was aware I need to start working on my silhoutte and standwork. Following a Tutorial with Leonora it was clear that I need to utilise the stretch of my fabric more in my design development. This did not quite tie in with the direcc tion I wanted to take this collection but I understood the value of this advise. So back to the drawing board. Following my difficulties in using photoshop and illustrator on my previous project I felt I needed to allocate more time to my range plan and presentation. Working through the tutorials of Heidi has helped but I am still a novice and need to spend more time to develop this incredibly useful skill. Im not sure I learnt much at the drawing factory. I do need to manage my time better and when drawing up my timetable to factor in possible interuptions. In this instance I have not been able to produce actual fabric samples to illustrate my surface design ideas and a garment which is incredibly frustrating.
PPD