16th November 2020

Design

Over the weekend I experimented with seam/dart placement ideas on my jacket. I really like the technique of using ribbon to mark out the new lines as it moulds to the garment shape and can be reused. To inspire ideas I looked at other garments such as the lines on hunting jackets, riding jackets and spencer's. I struggled to find many garments with interesting seams and darts as I wasn’t sure what to search, without scrolling through entire collections to find them. From the stand work I saw a link between the seamlines and lines found in ordinance survey maps, rocks and landscapes. I then used these images to draw some ideas. But I don't think they were successful as they didn’t work with the shape of the body. Perhaps they would be more suitable as print and colour inspiration. I also looked at Georgian garments but the stand work I developed from these curvier shapes didn’t compliment the structured silhouette of the jacket. I will continue doing stand work this week with more structured lines.

I still feel behind on this project and am worried that I won't finish it in time for the presentation which is what I would have liked. Because I'm worrying about it I keep putting things off or procrastinating. Especially the sketch book work, drawing and note taking which are areas I need to focus on. From my feedback on the last project my tutors suggested making notes in my sketchbook throughout the project which I haven't done yet. I’ve never had to write in my sketchbook before so I keep forgetting, but can see the benefit of it as it lets the tutor know what you're thinking rather than them trying to work it out from visuals. Writing the reflective journal is also challenging as I'm not sure what to write and keep putting it off. Rather than doing three weeks all at once and trying to remember what I did, I need to set aside time every week. I keep describing what I have done rather than reflecting. But Amy has sent posted some guidance on NOW so hopefully this will help.

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Research

Initial feedback from my proposal PowerPoints this week was that the combination of trench coats, origami and kilts was still too much. I liked the idea of including kilts because it's part of British heritage, especially Scotland. I would like some sort of personal connection in the proposal, which is also why I included Kilts. They are worn to special events on the Isle of Man and made from Manx tartan from the Laxey Woollen Mill, linking again to craft (created by hand on a loom). Furthermore, kilts incorporate pleats which reflects how I'd like the garment to change via pleats, folds and origami techniques. I could create a kilt instead of a trench coat, but a trench coat is more timeless and a garment which is worn in day-to-day life. Unlike kilts which are normally only worn for special events. Therefore, I will stick with researching trench coats and not kilts.

I was struggling to find relevant research during the homework task to help me with my project proposal from the vogue archive. But during today's lesson we were introduced to lots more resources such as Bridgeman Education and Bloomsbury Fashion Central. Whilst searching through these archives I still was not 100% sure what I should be looking for though. This may be because in the back of my mind I'm thinking that I would like to change my proposal. The current one I've been researching for doesn’t excite me as much anymore, but I'm not sure what I want to do instead. Perhaps sticking to a similar rational with topics I'm interested in including waste, slow fashion, sustainability, craftmanship and luxury, would be a good place to start.