Statement

The work I have submitted here is taken from my art and textiles coursework studies. I have always had an interest in art, textiles and fashion, and from a young age demonstrated this through always ‘making things’ for both myself and friends. I have really enjoyed learning how to design garments and make patterns for them, as well as how to make garments, and am enthusiastic about continuing and developing this further. I am very keen to learn and to gain a career in the fashion industry; I know this will take hard work and determination, yet I am willing to work incredibly hard to get there.

I am suited to working under pressure, and have demonstrated this through consistently meeting deadlines for my AS and A level courses where Art and Textiles require a substantial amount of coursework. Having studied textiles, I have shown that I can cope with both the practical and theory sides of the subject, whilst enjoying and being committed to both aspects. This demonstrates that I am not only conscientious and motivated, but also self-disciplined with good time management and dedicated to my studies.

My ability, interest and enthusiasm has been recognised in my role as textiles subject captain, through which I work with the art department to link the subjects and inspire younger students in the school to be creative and become involved with the art, design and technology department. An enjoyment in reading and researching fashion trends encourages me to learn more and pursue my keen interest. I have acquired both bronze and silver CREST awards, and am currently aiming to achieve gold. I am also completing the Extended Project Qualification, as part of the AQA Baccalaureate, researching ethical fashion and whether it is economically viable.

Box

The brief for this was to create an embellished box, taking inspiration from butterflies.

I experimented with different methods of decoration, for example free machine embroidery, the use of tyvek, transfers, trapunto and embroidery stitches. 

 The final box is covered in a grey silk, and is embroidered on the padded lid with wire, ribbon, and thread.

Corset

“Textile artists have created pieces inspired by surface and texture. After seeing the work of Jenni Joule, a student at Bath Spa University, at the Stroud International Textiles Festival, I was inspired by the structure and construction of fabrics. This interest was further developed through a visit to Art in Action. I will explore and experiment with textiles, creating a piece influenced by textiles and structure in the natural environment”.

I made a corset for my final piece. The age-old themes ideas associated with corsetry are those of the ‘ideal’, constriction, and restraint. I will take inspiration for the embellishment from structural forms within the natural environment, such as the caves I photographed in Portugal, which juxtapose the control and force of the corset. I found it very inspirational, and came to base a large part of my project on this.

I took part in a workshop led by the textile artist Corinne Hockley, in which she demonstrated how to make a paper corset.

I used the pattern making practice, ‘moulage’, to create the pattern for my corset, directly imitating and fitting it to the shape of the mannequin. I was inspired by the collaborations of the Studio Seven textile artists, aiming to make the audience involved, rather than being passive receivers of art.

The ‘Make Do & Mend’ exhibition I visited was an insight into how textiles can be used to create a piece of art rather than a product or ferment for a function within textiles. I intend to combine elements of performance to bring my piece to the audience. I will work with a dancer wearing the corset to experiment with different themes and ideas, and how we could portray these. The setting will be important and influential – for example being outside could reflect the use of the natural environment, and, on the other hand, being in a small area could demonstrate constraint.

Spain Dress

This was an initial piece of work taking design inspiration from a foreign country or culture, in this case Spain. It is a halterneck dress, designed for a teenager to wear in the summer.

Natural Form

This project initially began by looking at natural form and seed heads. After taking photographs, I experimented with different materials, (also working from life) such as the use of kitchen roll and food colouring, and acrylic paint on the reverse side of acetate.

Design Development

I created a page of initial design ideas, taking inspiration from a series of photographs which I had taken. Part of the design brief on which these designs are based is, ‘To create an innovative design which demonstrates my skills to the highest level and shows my dedication as a student. In order to use a directed source of inspiration, I will take a series of photographs, and from these take literal or figurative inspiration, creating a one-off garment or outfit to be exhibited’.

I then developed some of these design ideas further, evaluating them against my design specification in order to asses their feasibility. Through contacting Lizzi Walton, the director of Stroud International Textiles, she was able to put me in touch with a textile artist, Jo Harrison, who because me client for this project. I gained feedback from her as to my designs, and took this into account before moving on to developing a final idea.

I was also fortunate to meet and take part in a workshop with Corinne Hockley, who is part of the Studio Seven textile group. She was particularly helpful in advising me in relation to the design which I went on to create, as she made many suggestions as to whether the construction of the corset top would work, as well as modifications which I could make to improve an push my design further.

Research/Concept Ideas and Images

Part of the initial concept I drew up for my A Level Textiles Technology piece was;

Young designers are encouraged to look for new and interesting design ideas to influence and direct their work. The focus of this project is to take inspiration from a photograph, in order to allow me to explore my personal interest in fashion and design, as well as art, creating a one-off garment to be exhibited.

To begin my research, I visited an exhibition, ‘Make Do & Mend’, Stroud International Textiles Festival, and Art in Action, enabling me to see and experience exhibitions first hand, and the surroundings in which my brief intends my final piece to be displayed. By initially recording photographs and sketches in a sketchbook, I was able to consider some initial thoughts as to the way in which I could answer the brief. From this, I gathered my research onto a moodboard to use as a reference during the design process; a visual aid to illustrate the intended direction of design.

To further analyse my photographs, and look at the shapes, I transferred some of them onto fabric using transfer paste, as well as making some quick sketches. Through initial consideration as to fabrics and materials I could possibly use for the final garment, I gathered some scrap materials and also acquired some samples of silk rose petals which I believed I could have used.