Rebecca Crane Fashion Futures

Why let the weather limit your evening wardrobe?

Why let mental health stop you from experiencing new things?

In a combination of both issues, Under Cover unveils a gap in the market.

Rebecca Crane W13009689

These are just some of the designers of Spring/Summer 2016 catwalk collections.

My passion is eveningwear therefore I researched what is already in the industry trying to find my gap in the market.

The Guardian

The Guardian

BBC News

Mental health is a big topic in the news as the number of people coping with it is on the rise.

The human brain is so complicated and has little capacity to regenerate, it is vulnerable to the effects of damage and disease. Losing part of the vast network of cells, or changing the level of a neurotransmitter, can have devastating results.

In disorders of the mind, such as schizophrenia and depression, the symptoms are caused by more subtle changes in the brain that are as yet poorly understood. (NIH website)

I completed a shop report of some UK high-street fashion retailers. I found that not one retailer included an evening jacket or coat that had a hood. This is where I found my gap in the market.

Where Britain has ever-changing weather, it is difficult to complete an outfit that is also practical.

My aim is to create a fashionable evening wear jacket that also has a hood that will cover your hair and make up on those special occasions.

I began sketching from casual hoods to see their shape and found that only some would cover all of the hair and makeup.

From this I experimented on a cap to create the shape I wanted.

I used a menswear cap in order to create a bigger shape.

In the UK we can have days that include sunshine, cold winds, rain and hail. Having looked at many retailers and designers, I couldn't find a single evening wear jacket or coat that accommodated all weather.

Cover hairstyle and makeup Waterproof

Hood!!

Comfortable

Fashionable

Appeal to a mass market Not too light— hood may be blown off in the wind Not too heavy fabric — don’t make the coat too wintery

A lot of people buy different jackets for different occasions but how can you choose one when the weather might change when you’re out?

I began brainstorming how to create a jacket that can suit a few different weather types while still being fashionable and wearable.

(Image taken from Pinterest)

WATERPROOF WOOL I’ve looked into wool as it is a versatile fabric which would be suitable for the jackets. After researching ways to enhance fabric, I found that waterproof wool has been created. By mixing the wool fibre with polyester laminate it makes the wool completely waterproof as well as breathable. This allows the material to stay dry and comfortable.

Serenity

Happiness

Mysticism

Muted

Sunlight

Shadow

Oversized hood

Detachable with hidden zip inside collar

Structured silhouette with wrap over button front

Bodice darts for fitted silhouette