the Design Lab S/S 2013
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the Design Lab S/S 2013 by Kallen Forster
Designer Profile and Philosophy
Peruvian Hand Wovens
Kenyan Hand Beaded
NOLA born designer partners with international co-ops to create socially responsible colleciton
CTTC hand woven fabric partnered with eco-friendly hemp blends
Toto Knits hand beaded fabrics partnered with ecofriendly hemp blends
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the Design Lab By Kallen Forster
This collection is Kallen Forster’s Masters Thesis Collection for Louisiana State University. It is an inspiration for the Design Lab, which is a New Orleans based Socially Responsible Design Cooperative that Forster founded which will train, empower, and employ local women in various design techniques. For this collection, Forster (seen center in image above) teamed up with Kenyan cooperative Toto Knits (seen right, figure A&B) and a Peruvian Cooperative, the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC, seen right, figure C) to create hand beaded, and hand woven fabrics, which combined with eco-friendly hemp blended fabrics to create a contemporary and casual RTW SS2013 line (seen above). These pieces were designed to flex in any wardrobe. They merge and test the flow and movement of fabric with the silhouette of a woman’s body and contrast feminine accents with hard lines, patterns, shapes, and edges. They are versatile and transitional and can be worn throughout seasons and easily dressed up or down. Each piece is unique and makes a powerful statement while promoting social responsibility and a sense of virtue with each wear. These pieces provide a contemporary and wearable approach to preserving historic textile techniques and artisans while supporting and promoting the empowerment of women everywhere. 3
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A. Hand Woven from CTTC
B. Historic Textile Image
C. Historic African Beading
This piece from Accha Alta, along with 2 others, were selected from a database for pattern, color, and cohesion. Forster partnered with Nilda Alvarez CTTC founder to select the perfect pieces to compliment her capsule collection.
This Peruvian textile was referenced for pattern when drafting beading designs. The designer used this central motif as a template of sorts for each beading paterm.
The designer referenced several historic beading patterns and garments from African beaded textiles. These two were used as inspiration for combining geometric prevalence with the Peruvian woven motifs.
D. Balmain Inspiration
E. Sketching Process
F. Beading Patterns
The designer referenced current fashion beading for inspiration as well, Balmain was a main source of inspiration while sketching and creating patterns.
Once pattern and fabric were selected, the designer moved forward with creating silhouette and style through the sketching process. This also was important for the beading pattern process and dimensions required.
Once final sketches were rendered and beading pattern was designed, Forster began the draping process, and then converted patterns to Adobe Illustrator to perfect the ideal scale and positioning of the beading design to the pattern piece.
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Peruvian Hand Woven Full Miniskirt & HiLo Blouse Details found on pg 4 Model Taylor Jordan
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Peruvian Hand Wovens Full Miniskirt & HiLo Blouse Full Miniskirt – Peruvian Hand Woven Textile and Hemp Canvas + HighLow Blouse – Silk/Hemp Blend and Peruvian Hand Woven neck yoke. Hair Accessory by Rural Revolution.
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A. Sleeveless Blouse with Hand Woven Neck Yoke
B. Full Hand Woven Miniskirt
Peruvian Hand Woven Neck Yoke lined with silk hemp blend for comfort, side shoulder hook closure, tan dyed silk hemp blend sleeveless blouse base with high to low rolled hem and French seams. This statement piece can easily worn separately and dressed up or down. These hand woven textiles were constructed in Accha Alta, Peru by the CTTC.
Peruvian Hand Woven fabric, linen hemp blend hip yoke, Peruvian loom woven waist band (detail image above), exposed tan zipper, horsehair hem, fully lined with silk hemp blend for comfort. This flirty miniskirt creates an eyecatching silhouette. It takes the historic Peruvian textile and bridges the gap between past and present fashion.
(item #001) $220.00
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(item #002) $470.00
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Kenyan Hand Beaded Cape and High Waist Short Details found on pg 6 Model Kristin Frischhertz 7
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Kenyan Hand Beaded Full Cape & High Waist Short High-Waisted Short – Organic Cotton/Hemp Stretch Blend with Peruvian Loom Woven trim on exposed zipper + Full Cape – Kenyan Hand Beaded Patterned Shoulder Yoke and Silk/Hemp Blend.
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A-B A A. High Waist Short with Hand Woven Zipper Trim
B. Hand Beaded Shoulder Yoke with Full Cape
The Cape is complimented by a high-waisted short that has Peruvian hand woven trim to accent the exposed zipper which is pictured directly above. Easily paired with day or evening looks. Black Cotton/Hemp Stretch blend provides a flattering and comfortable slim fit. Woven trim was constructed in Accha Alta, Peru with the CTTC.
This cape is designed to allow for graceful movement and flow, and evoke subtle femininity through sheer silhouette and contrasting with hard lines of a severe shoulder created through intricate beading design. This beading design is inspired by Peruvian woven pattern and was hand beaded in Kenya by the women of Toto Knits.
(item #003) $230.00
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(item #004) $230.00
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Peruvian Hand Woven Collared Blouse and Side Panel Pant Details found on pg 8 Model Meghann Harney 9
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Peruvian Hand Woven Collared Blouse & Side Panel Pant Low-Rise Paneled Pant – Peruvian Loom Woven Side Panels with Organic Cotton/Hemp Stretch Blend + Collared High-Low Blouse Dyed Silk/Hemp Blend with Loom Woven Back Shoulder Yoke and Collar Detail. Necklace and Bracelet provided by Rural Revolution
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A B. Low-rise Hand Woven Panel Skinny Pant
A. Blouse with Hand Woven Collar and Back Shoulder Yoke
The pants have loom woven panels that create interest to the staple black pant. They are paired with comfortable yet flattering Organic Cotton/Hemp Stretch blend to create a flattering skinny silhouette. They can be dressed up or down and worn with many different looks.
The loom woven accents on the collar and back shoulder yoke create interest to an essential classic blouse. The comfort and elegance is accentuated by the silk hemp blended fabric it is paired with. It can be dressed up or down and worn in many different ways. The woven elements were constructed in Accha Alta Peru by the CTTC.
(item #005) $135.00
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(item #006) $280.00
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Kenyan Hand Beaded Curved Panel Pant and Collared Blouse Details found on pg 10 Model Melanie Powers 11
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Kenyan Hand Beaded Curved Panel Pant & Collared HiLo Blouse High-Waisted Cigarette Curved Panel Pant – Kenyan Hand Beaded Patterned Curved Panels with Organic Cotton/Hemp Stretch Blend + Collared HighLow Blouse - Silk/Hemp Blend with Kenyan Hand Beaded back shoulder yoke accent and button placket accent.
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A. High Waist Curved Beaded Panel Pant
B. Collared HiLo Beaded Accent Blouse
These high-waisted cigarette pants are a statement piece. The pattern placement creates a flattering silhouette. The intricate hand beaded panels were constructed in Kenya by Toto Knits and can be worn dressy or casual.
The high-low hem on the blouse highlight the natural curves of a woman, and the silk hemp fabric creates elegant flow and movement. The comfort and elegance is accentuated by the silk hemp blended fabric it is paired with. It can be dressed up or down and worn in many different ways. The beaded elements were constructed in Kenya by Toto Knits.
(item #007) $255.00
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(item #008) $85.00
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Peruvian Hand Woven Side Panel Strapless Dress Details found on pg 12 Model Iman Shervington 11
Peruvian Hand Woven Strapless Side Panel Dress Strapless Fitted Silhouette Dress – Peruvian Loom Woven Panels and Hemp Canvas. Necklace and Bracelet provided by Rural Revolution
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A. Strapless Woven Side Panel Dress This strapless fitted dress creates a figure-flattering silhouette through manipulation of lines and pattern. The loom woven fabric was constructed by the CTTC in Peru and is combined with eco-friendly hemp fabric. The uneven hem creates a unique, interesting, and flattering line for the leg. This dress can easily be dressed up or down. Necklace and Bracelet provided by Rural Revolution
(item #009) $570.00
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Kenyan Hand Beaded Hip Yoke Maxi-Skirt and Bandeau Details found on pg 14 Model Megan Peck
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Kenyan Hand Beaded Bandeau & High Waist Maxi-skirt High-Waisted Maxi-Skirt – Kenyan Hand Beaded Patterned hip yoke, Silk/Hemp Skirt, Hemp Canvas Waistband, Chanel Button Closure + Two Toned Bandeau – Kenyan Hand Beaded Trim, Hemp Canvas and Organic Cotton/Hemp Stretch Blend.
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A-B A A. High Waist Beaded Hip Yoke Maxi-Skirt
B. Beaded Bandeau
This maxi skirt is a statement piece. It can be dressed down or up, and has elegant drape and movement. The soft silk hemp blend is contrasted by the hard lines of the intricate beading that was hand sewn in Kenya by Toto Knits. The chanel button on the back adds interest and appeal.
The bandeau can be worn alone or provide pop under a sheer top. The organic cotton hemp blended stretch fabric provides silhouette flattering fit and comfort. Also lined for comfort with silk hemp, and adjustable back strap.
(item #010) $450.00
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(item #011) $60.00
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