Macpac Brief
New Zealand brand Macpac is offering a group of young fashion designers the exciting opportunity to design an Autumn/Winter 2015 2015 collection for the international market. The students’ collections
must propose new ideas and visionary concepts for what they see as the future of Macpac. Students are required to identify
their ‘angle’ through thorough research and investigation into Macpac’s
current market, their competitors and their product range, and design accordingly.
original Inspiration We were asked to choose from a list of categories as a starting point for our research, and we were to develop on from there.
The categories are as follows...
Campfire Stories High-tech Retro Future Imperfect Global Nomads
Global Nomads
As a group we chose Global Nomads as our kick off point. The idea behind global nomads included people departing on their O.E, either after their children had moved out or purely because they wanted to see the world. We defined Global Nomads as those who had no fixed address, and therefore needed clothing suitable not only for travel but to be worn many times without washing.
This is where our interest in Bamboo fabric came from. We also wanted our wearers to feel like they were taking New Zealand with them on their travels, which is where Kiwiana was
Introduced.
Target Market
Our target market is aimed at people who want to be able to use
their garments in a wide range of situations, from mountain to city street if you will. This was a key point raised in the Macpac interview with Campbell, but we felt existing Macpac garments did not do this. Therefore we aspired to make fucntional garments with detatchable
aspects to make garments more versatile.
We wanted to bring an aspect of New Zealand to our designs, so we did some research into classic Kiwiana, cliche’s and “good ole’ Nyu Zulund culture”.
Kiwifriuit
Nyu Zulund Classic Kiwi sauce bottle
Foodie favourite, Paua
t Christmas essential, The Pav’
Good ole’ Edmonds Baking Powder
“Sure to Rise!”
Silver fern, Our Nations Predominant
Sports team Emblem
Wal and Dog, Footrot Flats
Sustainable
Bamboo was the obvious choice for one of our fabric choices, it is
highly sustainable, despite concerns regarding choices of bamboo suppliers. Many people are concerned about bamboo fabric being obtained form the forests where Panda’s live, however there are many companies which obtain their bamboo fibres from forests especially grown for the manufacture of bamboo for
products such as chopsticks, building
materials and bamboo fabrics. Bamboo also takes up greenhouse gasses and releases more oxygen than other fabrics.
It requires no fertilisers or replanting and it’s roots are very good at
stabilising erosion prone soil.
Anti-bacterial Bamboo’s anti-bacterial and deodorising
properties are still effective after 50 washes. Tests have shown that 70% of bacteria incubated on bamboo
fabric did not survive.
Other Qualities Biodegradable Breathable Absorbent Soft Feel
Nau was part of our original inspiration for detatchble clothing
They are the essence of what we wanted to embody in our collection, the versatility, the adventure and their easy going
approach to life. Their approach to design means that their garments are appropriate from age 20 to 50, allowing for a wide range of
people to take advantage of their garments.
This garment was very inspirational to our initial ideas and designs.
Features
There are certain aspects we wanted to keep cohesive over our
collections, these include the following...
Lowered Backs
Drawstrings Lowered Sleeve’s
Detatchable
Target Market
City to Bush, showing versatility and convenience
Kiwiana
idealtargetmarket
laid back, easy going,
adventurous “Global Nomad�
Colour Palette Board New Zealand Landscape
We used this image to find the colours we wanted to us
se in our collection
No.8 wire, shows inginuity (earlier concept)
Some colours were tweaked and are being used in different
ratio’s among the group.
Concept Board
Showing main influences in
terms of design aspects
continuity with background containing
merge between city and bush.
Trend Board Tailored Trackpants
Nau chrysalis dress
large Hoods
New Zealand, Skytower
ConvertableTrench
Macpac
Initial Sketches
initial sketches, used to hash out ideas and decide on aspects i wanted to keep within my garments
experimenting with the use of panel lines, hoods etc. detatchables.
Developmental Sketches
Developmental Sketches
develpment of jacket. drawstring placement etc.
developing panel lines on pant. the direction, slope etc.
Final Garments
Accessories
Midlayer
Jacket and Trouser
developmental
Alternative Collection basic tee with security pocket in
basic collar
front, suitable for cellphones, money
passport etc
zip off panel pant
outfit one
zip off sleeve on jacket
drawstrings on sleeve and hem for close fit.
outfit two
high collar feature
lowered back
removeable sleeves
knee pads for padding
outfit three trench flap extra high collar
panelled thermals
panelled midlayer
deep pockets on shorts
wear shorts with or
without thermals
outfit four detatchable hood
detatchable bottom
drawstring on hood
security pockets in
midlayer
deep panelled shorts
Toile Developments
After the first toile of my jacket there were several things I needed to change. My collar was incorrect, as was my hood. They were both too small for the garment. I then re-checked and amended my patterns. I then undertook a second jacket toile. The second toile was much more accurate and allowed me to confidently undertake my final. My midlayer toile had no problems and therefore i was able to progress stratight to my final. the contrasting placket, collar and cuffs were very well recieved. The trouser toile had some problems. these were easily ironed out although my final trouser is not up to an acceptable standard, but as it is not getting marked I felt the time was better spent elsewhere. Overall I enjoyed this brief. Even though there was little sleep I learnt alot from this brief, outdoor wear and Macpacs background and ethics and hightly enjoyed developing my skills not only on the sewing machine but on the computer also.
Final Garments Coloured design specs
final garment
supporting alternative collection
final garment
Design Specs: Final Garments Ninety Mile Jacket drawstring feature holds
detatchable hood with drawstring feature to hold it down in wind
sleeves up when too hot
raised waist band panel to warm back
detatchable p
panels for war
or cool weath
Pekapeka Beach Pant
Stewart Island Shirt raglansleeve
cuffs with kiwiana hidden detail
rm
ts
collar joined raglan
pant
her
kiwiana print
at back
Photoshoot
Photo shoot, Picnic on Mount Vic, view of the city and the bush. kiwiana items such as tomato sauce with fish ‘n’chips and L&P
Collection Overview The collection we have developed for Macpac is called hike st. We wanted to create something with the environment in mind which is why we used bamboo as a fabric as it has amazing properties and is also sustainable. Our aim was to create something Macpac did not have in its range. A collection that you could wear from bush to bar. We then decided that drawstrings could be very helpful as a feature. Tightening or loosening to cater to the surroundings and bodily heat of the wearer. versatility is also a key feature as we wanted to push through the bush to bar scenario. We decided having parts of the garment detatch or transform would be the best way to do this. our collection features drawstring sleeves, hems and hoods. It also features detatchable hoods , sleeves and panels of jackets. Hike st is versatile, functional, travel friendly and fashionable. It will see you around the world from bush to bar, helping you to explore your new surroundings in style and comfort.
hike st.
“from bush, to bar”