RED DUST
‘‘I remember walking home from shcool and my white socks being coated in the red dust from the steel works’’ Researching into local heritage of my hometown Consett in the North East of England, which is famous for its steel works. Speaking to members of the community the feature that is most emotive is the red dust produced by the works.A perfect concept that represents an anecdote from the past, influencing colour for the project. The loss of the steel works brought quite a dull moment for the town and so the primary research collated reminds those that are older of a happier time such as the annual beauty pageant and skilled men at work.
Imagery of Consett iron works during its peak before its closure and demolishen in 1980 1980.
IRON OXIDE
The sky over Consett, which had long been famous for its thick haze of red iron oxide dust thrown up by the steelworks cleared. The concept of the project incorporates this colour story as it would have transformed the skyline of the town during this period.
I N D U S T R I A L MONUMENT
PINNACLE RE-TEC
Finding textura and emotional inspiration from my fathers factory as primary research to look at contemporary influences of the industrial steel heritage of the town. The Company PINNACLE-RETEC was interesting to visit and get a personal interaction with that type of environment and also look at garments the workmen wear.
‘‘Working with metal is strenuous work and hard on the joints’’
Howsgill Viaduct This railway bridge also known the ‘Gill Bridge’ connected Consetts mining and steel works industry to the rest of the North East. The Arched sillouhette has transpired into my conceptual workduring the design stage.
1858
ARCHES
BRI
DGES
CONCEPT& PATTERN CUTTING
The capsule womens collection designed for SS16, is inspired by aspects of the industrial heritage research. The colour story and silouette is reflected within a fun mood which was chosen to represent the community spirit that the project explores. While still honouring harsher workng conditions and job roles, which is represented in the fabriation and cut out arched shapes. These are positioned on areas of the garments that would feel the most stress during the physical labour of mining and pit work. While the softer lace keeps it feminine and ackknowledges an inspiring quote from initial research.
MOULAGE AND TOILE PROCESS
MOULAGE
FINAL LOOK
FABRIC
LOCATION
The location for the shoot was intended to be bold, bright and red, finding somewhere with red accents or background proved difficult. However the denim jumpsuit contrasted so well with this bridge situated on the river tyne.