Why So Serious? Why so serious indeed?. Against the backdrop of austerity, an antidote is required. The Why So Serious collection offers a playful abstract approach to synthetic materials while encompassing new and exciting technologies such as 3D printing and laser cutting. Inspired by the Ndebele tribe of South Africa and The Memphis Design group, this collection delivers bold geometric silhouettes and a hodgepodge juxtaposition of materials and colour. Homage is paid to man made composites and techniques; plastics, resins, laser cutting and 3D printing.The collection is a tribute to materials, colours and shapes, considered primitive, simplistic and common. Ndebele art is an important identifying characteristic of the Ndebele, it has a cultural significance that serves to reinforce the distinctive Ndebele identity.Ndebele artists reference ordinary everyday objects and reinterpret these objects using traditional design techniques inherited from their ancestors. Ndebele artists also demonstrated a fascination with the linear quality of elements in their environment and this is depicted in their artwork. Ndebele women were responsible for painting the colourful and intricate patterns on the walls of their houses. This presented the traditionally subordinate wife with an opportunity to express her individuality and sense of self-worth. Her innovativeness in the choice of colours and designs set her apart from her peer group. The back and side walls of the house were often painted in earth colours and decorated with simple geometric shapes that were shaped with the fingers and outlined in black. The most innovative and complex designs were painted, in the brightest colours, on the front walls of the house. The Memphis group was born out of frustration with the conformist approach at the time and challenged the idea that products had to follow conventional shapes, colours, textures and patterns. This “new international style� was a rebellion against the humorless, conservative design of the 1970’s. In contrast the Memphis Group offered bright, colourful, shocking pieces. The colours they used contrasted the dark blacks and browns of European furniture.
Alexander McQueen S/S 14 Feather like trimmings
Geometry in art: De Stijl was posited on the fundamental principle of the geometry of the straight line, the square, and the rectangle, combined with a strong asymmetricality
Ettore Sottsass Ceramics 1992 (30)
Ettore Sottsa plastic lamina
Ettorre Sottsass used his ceramic designs (1960’s) to illustrate biographical details of incidents in his life which have influenced and informed his work, e.g. his travels to India and his fascination with Indian mysticism. Ettore Sottsass Ceramics 1992 (31)
buildings in India, which inspired Italian architect Ettore Sottsass, geometric shapes, bold use of colour
Sottsass and the Memphis Group made a political statement through their design aesthetic.
Materials Research Plastics, formica, perspex, resins
Stella Corrall Plastics,UK Recycled plastics sourced from Remarkable plastics, UK
formica acrylic sheet
perspex tiles - Skin Gallery, London
source: Scion Gallery London Central Saint Martens Material Library
3D structure generation using the vaccum former
Formica
3 Form resins, Holland - translucent iced solar block dichroic solar iced glass
plastic slabs, David Clouting, UK
perspex
perspex tiles - Hamer Plastics, London 3 Form resins, Holland - eco resins
eco resin
EVA - Lineapelle, company unknown perspex rods, Hindley, Plastics Uk
cnc milled out sphere from a perspex lock
veg tan moulded leather
3D printing samples and eyelets
laser cut leather with 3D printed rectangles attached
laser cut leather, backed on to white leather
laser cut leather
exploring colour combinations and geometric form
heel ideas
deconstructing geometric shapes and reconstructing: ideas for heel, top pieces, materials: (gloss plastic 3D-printed)
ideas for embellisments and heels, use oversized embellisments
heel detailing: 3d printed heels with 3d shapes attached or 3d shapes held in a cage like structure
3D printed heel ideas in abs plastic
3D printed strap ideas in abs plastic
heel shapes: use a clear perspex (CNC mill generated) for sphere detail to give the illusion of negative space, hence it appears the wood rectangle in suspended unaided
wedge detail: suspended geometric shapes in the wedge with the use of clear perspex rods, this will give the illusion of geometric shapes suspended unaided
back-counter is a flip back counter secured with screws in the heel. This allows the back counter to be rotated downwards and ease of entry of the foot intp the shoe.
heel ideas, use combination of plastic marbeling and stained or painted wood in different combined geometric proportions
heel details ideas: walnut wood cnc milled
heels using a combination of walnut and marbled plastic
insert a marbled plastivc slab between a cnc milled out clear perspex cube
3D Print Show, London plexiglas, double mounted distorts that background pattern
CNC milled out perspex block placed in front of a marbled plastic, the pattern is magnified where the perspex overlaps the plastic
CNC milled out perspex block with square cut out to allow for walnut insert
iced glass from 3 Form Products, material can be cnc milled
Ettorre Sotsass Ceramics - serve for heel and top piece inspiration
patent calf - carrot orange
Stella Corrall Plastic
laser engraved leather strap idea
Ndebele inspired 3D experimentation
laser cut leather, strap idea
laser cut leather with 3D printed squares attached laser cut leather, strap idea laser cut leather with 3D printed rectangles attached