REFLECTIVE JOURNAL

Juxtaposed: Initial Research

The first independent assignment brief we have been given is titled 'juxtaposed.' The brief states we need to look at a minimum of two different sources of inspiration and eventually create a fully realised outcome. I decided to begin with some research.

Rodarte SS15

Juxtaposition between the delicate fabric over the left breast and the powerful, violent spikes on the right.

Dries Van Noten S/S 2015

Juxtaposition between the spotted jacket pattern and the striped pattern on the trousers.

Balmain SS 15

Juxtaposition here between the strong, tailored suit and the bare flesh which suggests a vulnerability.

Balenciaga Spring 2015

Here there's a juxtaposition between the sheer, draping fabric of the dress compared to the heavy, structured jacket.

Carolina Herrera Spring 2015

Juxtaposition between the elegant, romantic rose and the sharp white mosaic panels.

Iris Van Herpen Haute Couture Spring 2013

Juxtaposition between the violent shards and the vulnerable bare back.

Philip Treacy at Valentino Garavani RTW Spring 2010

Juxtaposition between the fragile lace detail and the heavy motion of a footstep.

Iris Van Herpen

Juxtaposition between water like details and the amour style garment which suggests protection from danger such as firearms.

Alexander McQueen Spring 2013

Juxtaposition between flowing, light dress and dark structured bodice.

Valentino Pre AW 2014

Juxtaposition between elegant gown and shirt collar

Mary Katrantzou A/W 2011

Juxtaposition between pattern

Zuhair Murad Pre A/W 2014

Juxtaposition between light and airy and dark and heavy

Follow Jess's board Juxtaposition on Pinterest.

Material Investigation: Critique

Critiques always worry me and I was left until second from last which made me more nervous but I'm not sure what I was so worried about. I received some really nice feedback with lots of questions about how I had done things which made me feel good that people were interested in my work.

Overall I really enjoyed this project, it's really opened my eyes to how the simplest and more bizarre materials can create extraordinary outcomes. It's shown me that I need to not be afraid to get messy and play around.

Material Investigation: Repeat Patterns from Knit and Felt

Knit repeat patterns

I discovered a collage app on my phone in which I could create repeat patterns on. I chose the four square grid and flipped the various corners in the relevant ways. I then saved that image and then created a new four square grid and put the second image back in again to create a repeat pattern.

The original image of the knit sample

The first repeat pattern block

The final repeat pattern (could have continued to repeat it again and again if I wanted to) in it's original colours.

I then decided I wanted to manipulate the colours of my repeat pattern to see what effects I could achieve, and I am rather pleased with the results. I used photoshop to do this.

My second knit sample original image

The repeat pattern in its original colours

Felt repeat patterns

Original photo of felt sample

Repeat pattern in it's original colours

Colour manipulated repeat pattern

Original image of felt

Repeat pattern

Original image of felt

Repeat pattern (rotated as I preferred it this way round)

Material Investigation: Felting

Felting

A lot of the people on the pathway had done felting before but I never had, so I was unsure of what to expect. However I was pleasantly surprised by how playful the process was and how I could mix a variety of exiting colours to create some interesting samples. The process was simple - layer up the fibres, alternating between laying them vertically and horizontally, then wet them with hot soapy water, wrap them in bubble wrap and then knead it until the fibres became a solid.

The colours in this felt were inspired by colours I had used in a previous wine gum printing sample from the beginning of the project. I feel they blended well together to create an interesting vibrant sample.

The colours in this one were inspired by my melted boiled sweets image. There wasn't a hot pink coloured wool so I used red and light pink and this created the effect I desired. I think the sample is quite representative of my boiled sweets.

In this sample I wanted to see if I could incorporate other materials into the felt. I put the yarn in between layers of fibres and after I worked it and it had dried the pieces became part of the felt sample. I made the sample quite thin so light could shine through and so the yarn didn't become too concealed.

In this sample I tried to use the colours that were in my foil repeat pattern. This was quite difficult as the fibres were obviously matte so the finished sample isn't very representative of the repeat pattern, however it is inspired by it.

I really enjoyed the process of wet felting, and dry felting which I attempted after this. I was amazed by dry felting as I couldn't believe just poking the felt down into fabric could make it stay stuck in without any form of adhesive. I think I would like to use these techniques again in the future and if I was, I would probably work the wet felt more to make it more solid, and I would create a more exciting, intricate design for my dry felting.

Material Investigation: Knit and Crochet

Knit

At the start of the day I could not knit to save my life and I had limited experience in crochet. I was rather looking forward to learning some new skills and seeing how I could explore the techniques in my work. It took me a long time to get the hang of knitting but once I had I really enjoyed it and I produced a few samples.

The colours of this sample were inspired by the colours in my melted boiled sweets.

Crochet

I didn't get much time to complete crochet sample during the day so I carried it on at home. My mum does a lot of crochet so she taught me a different stitch than the one I was working on and I enjoyed this one a lot more as I felt it created a proper rectangular sample. I think I still find knitting easier but I did enjoy the effect this crochet stitch created.

Material Investigation: Digital Repeat Pattern

Repeat pattern created from foil

Original image of foil which I created my repeat pattern from.

I created this repeat pattern in word by placing the image four times in a grid and flipping the top right horizontally, the bottom left vertically and the bottom right vertically and horizontally. I then grouped the four images together and then just copy and pasted as many times as I desired to create my pattern. I really enjoyed this process and never imagined the outcome I could achieve from a single piece of silver tin foil. I love the kaleidoscopic effect, which I explored further in later repeat patterns.