P O R T F O L I O MUFARO MUKOKI Fashion Design
Contents
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About Me………………………………
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Kontrol………………………………….
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Cyborgian Revenge…………………….
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Sketchbook and Illustrations……………. . 1. Organic Mutation 2. Corsetry 3. SAFW Student Competition 4. Cyborgian Revenge Prowl Magazine………………………. . . 1. Winter 2017 Issue 2. The Independent Issue References……………………………. .
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Credits………………………………….
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About Me Mufaro Cathy Mukoki mufaromukoki@gmail.com Zimbabwean
English, Shona
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PERSONAL SKILLS Hard Worker Creative Fast learner Time Keeping Organization
PROFESSIONAL SKILLS Pattern Design Garment Construction Creative Presentations Adobe Illustrator Computer Skills
ACHIEVEMENTS 1st Place SA Fashion Week Student Competition 2017 Lisof Special Mention Collection 2016 1st Place Trashion Show 2013
I am a driven fashion creative with a passion for pattern making and tailoring. I speak fluent English and have obtained a BA Honours in Fashion. My strengths include being a hard worker and an excellent creative problem solver. EXPERIENCE 2017-2019: Full time and part-time lecturer at Lisof Design School. I lectured first year garment construction, first year marketing and first to third year fashion history. 2018: Internship at Lisof Design School. Duties included teaching and assisting with the marking of student assignments.
July 2017: 2 Week internship at Sies!Isabelle, a small scale fashion brand. August 2014: SAFW Brooklyn Pop Up Shop. Various internships.
2014-2016: Showcased a collection at the annual ImageIam Fashion Show at the University of Pretoria. 2013-present: Various design related projects for private clients.
2018 BA Hons Fashion Lisof Design School
(Research, Business and Cultural Studies)
2017 BA Fashion Lisof Design School (Fashion Design Process, Buying, Computers, Trend Analysis, Fashion Theory)
2013: Showcased a collection at the Trashion Show in Harare, Zimbabwe. 2014 BA Fashion First Year Design School of SA (Fashion Design Process, Art History, Fashion History)
2007-2012 A Level Dominican Convent High School
REFERENCES Annelize Scheepers: Lisof Lecturer +20832398012 annelize@Lisof.co.za Petro Naude: Academic Manager at Lisof +27827835535 petro@Lisof.co.za
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Kontrol
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MOODBOARD
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RATIONALE This collection is an expression of the struggle of trying to find one’s own voice and strength in a world filled with structure and expectations. Much of life is spent performing one’s assigned role within society, which may, more often than not, result in a loss of self. Tailoring is a very important part of this collection, as well as my aesthetic in general. It can be seen in the techniques, as well as the use of suiting material. It represents the rigid structure and control society can have on an individual. Its deconstruction becomes of paramount importance as it challenges the standards of society and offers the possibility of new realities. On the other hand, tailoring can be empowering, symbolising strength, competence and capability. It can also embody the hope that is the future as it abandons the restrictiveness of the past that has been dominated by corsetry. The colours used in this collection show a transition or conflict between safety and freedom. Grey, navy blue and white embody security and compliance in what is safe and the norm. Although navy blue expresses the darkness of losing one’s self in the face of expectations, there is a hint of brightness to it as a potential and hope of breaking free. White, while it can be associated with ‘purity’ which is a standard valued by society, it can also be very peaceful. Yellow is vibrant, lively and an expression of freedom. It is not only yellow, but a yellow that is not too glaring but soft, smooth and free from harshness. The collection also has a sporty element. This is seen in the use of a sporty mesh and knit fabrics. Sportswear has always symbolised a move away from what is traditional and restricting, making way for more comfortable clothing. Sportwear, also speaks to the strength and potential of the body and its capabilities; the body which is also a tool used by society to determine gender and its role. The painting expresses this desire to desperately break free and find freedom. With freedom comes peace. As I hand painted this element, I found myself releasing some of my own frustrations and anxieties. It was a truly liberating experience. Overall, the collection is unisex, offering clothing for both males and females. It attempts to celebrate individuality and expression of self without the restrictions of gender binaries. 8
RANGE
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Cyborgian Revenge 18
I was inspired by the cyborg and the post-apocalyptic. According to Donna Haraway’s ‘Cyborg Manifesto’ (Berger.1999.p224), the cyborg is a post-apocalyptic ‘creature in a post gender world… standing in general, after the conceptual end of all dominant contemporary modes of thought’.
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RATIONALE Being part machine, the cyborg represents the standards women are expected to conform to in this patriarchal society, taking away their freedom and individuality. Forced to conform to the same standards, each woman becomes a clone of the next. On the other hand, this very quality that allows the cyborg to be controlled is in fact its strength, if only it can realise it. It can use its technology to free itself from its chains, or even rule over its ‘controllers’. The collection calls on women to realise their strength, stand up, and fight for their rights. The collection is all white, giving it a more futuristic, clean feel. It also emphasizes the idea of a machine and cloning/uniformity. Sticking to one colour also helps us pay more attention to the different fabrics and textures. The fabrics consist of cotton, scuba, jersey knit in contrast with fabrics with shinier surfaces such as pleather and satin, communicating further the idea of human versus machine. Textures include quilting of geometric shapes to emphasize ‘constructedness’, protruding geometric shapes to give a more ‘robotic’ look and layered laser cut panels emulating the shape of a cyborg’s spine. Overall the textures are very futuristic. The silhouettes of the garments range from a close form fit to the female body, to a less fitting more rigid structure that conceals the body, with some fluid/flowy shapes in between, referencing the human/machine hybrid nature of the cyborg. Some shapes are more exaggerated, such as a large protruding fin, or exaggerated draping details, to emphasize the ‘unnaturalness’ of this creature, that is also a walking weapon in itself. Greater proportion is given to the top half of the body, to give a more muscular, powerful feel and to emulate body armour. The look is finished off with clean detailing and finishes to further emphasize the futuristic elements of the theme.
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MOODBOARD
The cyborg, The post-apocalyptic and Feminism 21
Layered reverse sleeveless jacket with 3D Geometric manipulation front detail. Knit sling bag. Drape detail in the back with jet pocket.
Robotic leggings with asymmetric wrap around panel. Felt detailing. Knee guard, sheen pads and fly front. Patch pocket with nylon tape and d-rings. 22
Layered jacket with asymmetric panels and cut out sleeves. Jet pockets, inseam pockets, d rings, nylon tape and straight collar. Fitted pencil skirt. 23
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Sketches and Illustrations 30
Organic Mutation Designed for my second year garment for the annual Lisof Fashion Show. Inspired by organic forms and silhouettes.
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CORSETRY I have always been passionate about issues that affect women in everyday society. The overriding theme that governs my work is feminism. In this range, I was inspired specifically by the cyborg and the post-apocalyptic.
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SAFW Student Competition In 2017, I entered the SA Fashion Week Student Competition and came in first place. The brief was to design a fashion forward shirt dress.
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CYBORGIAN REVENGE
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Some of the sketching process for my graduate collection. 43
Prowl Magazine
Prowl Magazine is a non profit Blogzine aimed at empowering young women. I supply them occasionally with material for their style section.
Instagram: @prowl_magazine Website: prowl.co.zw
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Winter 2017 Issue Styling: This issue was all about keeping warm and celebrating a love for coffee. Photographs by Liyon Media
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The Independent Issue
This issue celebrated and aimed to inspire women. Images of my designs were coupled with inspirational quotes. Photography by VisualsbyLife.
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REFERENCES Charlie. 2017. Random Inspiration 288 UltraLinx. [ONLINE] Available at: https://theultralinx.com/2017/05/randominspiration-288/. [Accessed 13 May 2019]. Degenaar, A. 2019. Ana Degenaar: Collection 03. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.anadegenaar.com/2015/03/col lection-03_30.html. [Accessed 14 May 2019]. Etsy. 2019. Grey Triangle Print Geometric Art Printable Wall Art | Etsy. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.etsy.com/listing/227730504/ grey-triangle-print-geometricart?ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_view _type=gallery. [Accessed 14 May 2019]. Kayek, D. 2018. Dice Kayek Pre-Fall 2018 Collection - Vogue. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.vogue.com/fashionshows/pre-fall-2018/dicekayek/slideshow/collection. [Accessed 14 May 2019]. Slijper, D. 2015. Vogue Turkey April 2015 Poses. [ONLINE] Available at: https://poses.moda/catherine-mcneil-bydavid-slijper-for-vogue-turkey-april-2015/. [Accessed 14 May 2019]. Stutz, V . 2013. Inspiring Pop-out Paintings by Viktoria Stutz . [ONLINE] Available at: http://webneel.com/webneel/blog/inspirin g-pop-out-paintings-by-viktoria-stutz. [Accessed 14 May 2019].
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Pjacubinas. 2016. Urban Scout 3. [ONLINE] Available at:http://pjacubinas.deviantart.com/art/http://pj acubinas.deviantart.com/art/Urban-Scout-3301574658?q=gallery:pjacubinas/21146426&qo= 9?q=gallery:pjacubinas/21146426&qo=9. [Accessed 17 October 2016]. Shadowness.com. 2016. Symbioti Cosmosis. [ONLINE] Available at:http://shadowness.com/hybridgothica/symbio ti-cosmosis. [Accessed 17 October 2016]. Lava360. 2016. Lucy the Fembot. [ONLINE] Available at: http://lava360.com/35-realisticandroid-cyborg-girls-photo-manipulations/2/. [Accessed 17 October 2016]. Wallpaperfolder.com. 2016. Post Apocalyptic City. [ONLINE] Available at:http://wallpaperfolder.com/wallpapers/post+a pocalyptic+city. [Accessed 17 October 2016].
Sampsel Preston, (2010), Post Apocalyptic Fashion: A homage [ONLINE]. Available at: http://sampselprestonphotography.blogspot.co.z a/2010/05/post-apocalyptic-fashionhomage.html [Accessed 19 October 2016]. Redbubble.com, (2016), Feminism symbol stickers [ONLINE]. Available at: https://www.redbubble.com/shop/feminism+sy mbol+stickers [Accessed 21 October 2016].
CREDITS MODELS:
PHOTOGRAPHERS:
Marlene Pascoal Ofentse Mokhotu Onkabetse Tlhapi Panashe Ndhlovu Theana Araujo Tshego Sebape
Liyon Media Instagram: @liyonmedia www.liyonmedia.com Pretoria, South Africa
VisualsbyLife Instagram: @sonofthe263 Harare, Zimbabwe Pretoria, South Africa
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FIND ME: no_by_m_factory Mufaro Mukoki mufaro_mukoki www.mufaromukoki.wixsite.com/mysite