Fashion
About Me Mufaro Cathy Mukoki mufaromukoki@gmail.com Zimbabwean
English I am a driven fashion creative with particular interest in high end tailoring and deconstruction. With several years of freelance design work under my belt, I spend my time learning to perfect the art of taking a products from concept to completion.
1st Place SA Fashion Week Student Competition 2017 Lisof Special Mention Collection 2016 1st Place Trashion Show 2013
EDUCATION 2018 BA Hons Fashion Lisof Design Academy (Research, Business and Cultural Studies) 2017 BA Fashion Lisof Design Academy (Fashion Design Process, Computers, Trend Analysis, Fashion Theory)
SKILLS
EXPERIENCE
Pattern Design Garment Construction
Freelance (2013-Now)
Creative Presentations
Design of seasonal collections. Design process from start to finish including concept, sketching, technical drawing, presentations, fabric sourcing, patternmaking and construction of product. Work with individual clients to make bespoke, made to order garments. Adhere to project deadlines. Various fashion showcases.
Adobe Illustrator Research Attention to detail
Excellent written and verbal communication
REFERENCES Annelize Scheepers: Lisof Lecturer +20832398012 annelize@Lisof.co.za Petro Naude: Academic Manager at Lisof +27827835535 petro@Lisof.co.za
LISOF (2017-Now) Research and incorporation of up to date industry related design concepts. Course development and teaching of industry standard garment construction techniques. Course development and teaching of historical fashion studies focusing on key fashion themes and how they have influenced and shaped the world.
ZVIWA (2017) Designed, sketched, created patterns and completed prototypes for a number of products. Worked closely with seamstresses and pattern maker in the production process. Designed collection from concept to completion.
Contents
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Virtua SS 2019 Kontrol AW 2019 Form SS 2019 Cyborgian Revenge: Graduate Collection
SS 2019
Virtua 6
MOODBOARD
The internet and identity
RATIONALE This collection is a contemplation over the impact of technology and the internet on identity. Social media has resulted in the construction of virtual identities and arguably facilitated a loss of touch with reality. What are the consequences?
‘Going forward, technology is only going to become a more integral part of our lives. The digital world will become faster, more efficient, and in turn we will become even more connected and aligned’ (Monnington Bobby, 2019). In the last couple of decades, advances in technology and the internet have dramatically shaped the way we live our lives. Social Media platforms allow us to meet new people and visit new places, and increasingly so, without leaving the comfort of our own home. By the click of a button, we can escape from our daily lives. Additionally, through images, videos and text, we can control which aspects of ourselves we want the world to experience, as well as when and how. Thus, online identities can be considered inauthentic and consequently facilitate a loss in one’s true identity. As a result, blue is becoming a widely used fashion colour. Blue is a colour closely associated with technology. It is ‘popular for internet searches, and for the branding of tech companies’ (Morris, 2019). Yucatan (2018) believes the colour blue connects what is near to what is far and connotes escapism. Purist blue, with its pastel qualities, has an artificial quality representing an unreal world that is disconnected from reality.
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AW 2019
Kontrol
MOODBOARD
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.
RANGE
SS 2019
Beautiful Decay 22
MOODBOARD
Nature vs Human
RATIONALE This collection serves as a commentary on how human action has had an impact on the environment. Our quest for perfection and civilization has resulted in the destruction of wildlife and vegetation, and ultimately depleted the ozone layer. The industrial revolution was a major contributor to the environmental issues we face today as it had a ‘profound impact on how people lived and the way businesses operated’ (Chen, 2019). Tailored elements and geometric shapes are an important part of this collection as they represent the ‘concrete jungles’ and factories that are a huge part of our lives today that contribute immensely to greenhouse emissions. Tailoring is also used as an empowering tool for the wearer, symbolising strength, competence and capability. Deconstruction is used to create holes and cut outs in some of the garments to show how human action is destroying something beautiful, which is the planet.
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Cyborgian Revenge
GRADUATE COLLECTION
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’.
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.
MOODBOARD
The cyborg, The post-apocalyptic and Feminism
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.
Layered jacket with asymmetric panels and cut out sleeves. Jet pockets, inseam pockets, d rings, nylon tape and straight collar. Fitted pencil skirt.
SKETCHES
Some of the sketching process for my graduate collection.
Magazine Feature
Prowl Online 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 ‘The Independent Issue’ celebrated and aimed to inspire women. Images of my designs were coupled with inspirational quotes.
REFERENCES Aussie. 2018. No name. [ONLINE] Available Lapointe, S. 2019. RESORT 2020 Sally LaPointe. at: https://weheartit.com/entry/315378264. [Accessed [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.vogue.com/fashion14 May 2020]. shows/resort-2020/sally-lapointe. [Accessed 14 May 2020]. Buffenstein, A. 2016. Eye-Popping Photo Series Imagines Absurd Beauty Rituals. [ONLINE] Available Lava360. 2016. Lucy the Fembot. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/qkwaww/spaat: http://lava360.com/35-realistic-android-cyborgdays-aleksandra-kingo-beauty-photos. [Accessed 14 girls-photo-manipulations/2/. [Accessed 17 October May 2020]. 2016].
[ONLINE]. Available at: http://sampselprestonphotography.blogspot.co.za/2010 /05/post-apocalyptic-fashion-homage.html [Accessed 19 October 2016].
Charlie. 2017. Random Inspiration 288 - UltraLinx. Microsoft. 2020. Mice. [ONLINE] Available [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.microsoft.com/accessories/en-us/mice. at: https://theultralinx.com/2017/05/random-inspiration- [Accessed 14 May 2020]. 288/. [Accessed 13 May 2019]. Monnington Bobby, J. 2019. Advances in technology Chen, J. 2019. Industrial Revolution. [ONLINE] Available inspire WGSN's colour of 2021 AI Aqua. [ONLINE] at: https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/industrialAvailable at: https://www.dezeen.com/2019/03/14/a-irevolution.asp. [Accessed 14 May 2020]. aqua-wsgn-colour-2021/. [Accessed 14 May 2020].
Shapiro, D. 2015. Studiopepe, Stylists and Set Designers. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.sightunseen.com/2015/03/studiopepestylists-and-setdesigners/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email &utm_campaign=Feed:+sightunseen/Qwlu+(Sight+Unse en). [Accessed 14 May 2020].
Shadowness.com. 2016. Symbioti Cosmosis. [ONLINE] Available at:http://shadowness.com/hybridgothica/symbioticosmosis. [Accessed 17 October 2016].
Slijper, D. 2015. Vogue Turkey April 2015 - Poses. [ONLINE] Available at: https://poses.moda/catherineContinente, G. 2018. Zara lo ha vuelto a hacer: tiene Monreal, M. 2015. The Digital Glamour of Marcelo mcneil-by-david-slijper-for-vogue-turkey-april-2015/. los pendientes que queremos llevar toda la primavera. Monreal. [ONLINE] Available [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.juxtapoz.com/news/the-digital-glamour- [Accessed 14 May 2019]. at: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/es/moda/compras/g of-marcelo-monreal/. [Accessed 14 May 2020]. 18484064/zara-tiene-los-pendientes-que-queremosStutz, V . 2013. Inspiring Pop-out Paintings by Viktoria llevar-primavera/. [Accessed 14 May 2020]. Morris, A. 2019. Advances in technology inspire WGSN's Stutz . [ONLINE] Available at: http://webneel.com/webneel/blog/inspiring-pop-outcolour of 2021 AI Aqua. [ONLINE] Available paintings-by-viktoria-stutz. [Accessed 14 May 2019]. Degenaar, A. 2019. Ana Degenaar: Collection 03. at: https://www.dezeen.com/2019/03/14/a-i-aqua[ONLINE] Available wsgn-colour-2021/. [Accessed 14 May 2020]. at: http://www.anadegenaar.com/2015/03/collectionWallpaperfolder.com. 2016. Post Apocalyptic City. 03_30.html. [Accessed 14 May 2019]. Petrov, P. 2018. RESORT 2019 Petar Petrov. [ONLINE] [ONLINE] Available at:http://wallpaperfolder.com/wallpapers/post+apocaly Available at: https://www.vogue.com/fashionEtsy. 2019. Grey Triangle Print Geometric Art Printable shows/resort-2019/petar-petrov#collection. [Accessed ptic+city. [Accessed 17 October 2016]. Wall Art | Etsy. [ONLINE] Available 14 May 2020]. at: https://www.etsy.com/listing/227730504/greyYucatan, D. 2018. Coloro X WGSN: Purist Blue – triangle-print-geometricPjacubinas. 2016. Urban Scout 3. [ONLINE] Available cooling, crisp, contemporary. [ONLINE] Available art?ga_page=2&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=g at:http://pjacubinas.deviantart.com/art/http://pjacubinasat: http://disenoyucatan.com/coloro-x-wgsn-purist-blueallery. [Accessed 14 May 2019]. cooling-crisp-contemporary/. [Accessed 14 May 2020]. .deviantart.com/art/Urban-Scout-3301574658?q=gallery:pjacubinas/21146426&qo=9? Hernandez, E. 2017. No name. [ONLINE] Available q=gallery:pjacubinas/21146426&qo=9. [Accessed 17 Zunder, E. 2018. 4 INTERIOR PIECES, DIE GROSSE at: https://weheartit.com/entry/243912363. [Accessed October 2016]. FREUDE MACHEN UND DIE WOHNUNG AUFWERTEN. 14 May 2020]. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.elisazunder.de/4interior-pieces-die-grosse-freude-machen-und-dieRedbubble.com. 2016. Feminism symbol wohnung-aufwerten/. [Accessed 14 May 2020]. Kayek, D. 2018. Dice Kayek Pre-Fall 2018 Collection - stickers [ONLINE]. Available at: Vogue. [ONLINE] Available https://www.redbubble.com/shop/feminism+symbol+sticke at: https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/pre-fallrs [Accessed 21 October 2016]. 2018/dice-kayek/slideshow/collection. [Accessed 14 May 2019]. Sampsel, P. 2010, Post-Apocalyptic Fashion: A homage
CREDITS MODELS: Britney Holly Anderson Lesedi Seleke Ofentse Mokhotu Onkabetse Tlhapi Panashe Ndhlovu Sanya Smit Takudzwa Kagande Theana Araujo Tshego Sebape
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Liyon Media Instagram: @liyonmedia www.liyonmedia.com Pretoria, South Africa
TMD Photography Instagram: @tmd_photography3 tmdmedia082@gmail.com Johannesburg, South Africa
Nicole Nel Photography Instagram: @nicolenel_photography Pretoria, South Africa
VisualsbyLife Instagram: @sonofthe263 Harare, Zimbabwe Pretoria, South Africa
Nkhumishe Images Instagram: @nkhumishe_images nkhumisheimages.co.za Johannesburg, South Africa
FIND ME: Mukoki.com @MukokiOfficial & @Mufaro_Mukoki Mufaro Mukoki mufaro_mukoki