final design//

Final moodboard//

design process//

This is my design process. I found it challenging to design at the start because the design process in which i am used to was turned up side down. So eventually i decided to pin it straight onto the mannequin, and then step back and observe. This process, i found, was easier for me to visualize a final garment. I used a basic bra cup pattern and manipulated my swimsuit pattern by deleting and adding design features. For the lower half of the dress, i used a beige shirt dress and draped the upper half (including sleeves) over the lower half of the mannequin then twisted the sleeves into place (creating sculpted form). Overall i'm pleased with the process and the colour scheme. I believe this up-cycled garment relates and reflects my artists concept in the best light.

inspiration//

These garments i received from the Salvation Army. Every single item is pre-loved and waiting for a new home. It's quite overwhelming at this stage, from my point of view, to imagine what the final design/garment will look like. As a student i want my designs/ideas to be fresh, new and innovative. so i won't lie. This task was difficult for me in the beginning because i am so used to having a pen and paper in front of me to sketch everything out before i even consider what material type or colour. In this situation my design process was turned up side down.

As a designer, this project was essential for me to move towards a more sustainable future. I believe this task (creating a sustainable garment) will help me to create a one-off piece made from up-cycled garments that will be valued and in a lighter way, kind to the environment. I want to be involved within the social, cultural and ecological dilemma's of our era. I want this project to shift the way i think and behave on a daily basis, both as a consumer and as a designer. I want to become a resourceful designer, inspired by nature and it's limits, putting human well-being and care for the environment at the heart of the issue.

The Salvation Army//

Excursion to the Salvation Army

Our design class was kindly invited to experience a 'behind the scenes' tour of the Salvation Army. We were privileged enough to be guided through the warehouse (head quarters, Spring Hill) This experience impacted me, unconsciously making myself aware about what needs to be improved in the fashion industry. As an enormous contributor, towards landfill and careless waste the fashion industry produces trend after trend, constantly creating endless cycles, where consumers are encouraged to adopt trends, which essentially change each season. Last weeks, last seasons, last years clothes are now sitting in a warehouse, pre-loved, amongst bags and bags full of endless supplies of clothing, waiting to be sorted. Hoping for a second chance. With companies re-producing replicas of high-end fashion around the clock, at cheaper quality and a cheaper price point, disposable fashion is fast becoming the norm.

The Salvation Army provide a service to help your local community. Giving up their time to help support the homeless, the poverty stricken and the elderly, by supplying shelter, care, clothing and basic household items at reasonable and affordable prices.

To find out more about the Salvation Army: click here

abstract thoughts pertaining to time, change and forms in space//

The transformative face of Brisbane's built environment, constantly shifting and evolving relationships between real objects and their surrounding space and three dimensionality are central to her artistic practice. Jasmin is currently exploring Modernist Architecture, Geometric Abstraction Art, Kinetic Art, Illusionistic painting, to create artwork that retains it's grounding in the 'real' and actual physical environment. She utilizes materials such as concrete, metal and timber which present her work in a utilitarian, raw and honest way.

http://jasmincoleman.com/

The Centre for Sustainable Fashion, showcases fashion’s creative responses to the social, cultural and ecological dilemmas of our era. The Centre provides opportunities to shift the way we think and behave on a daily basis, whilst offering space and time to marvel at the wonder of human ingenuity and innovation. The graduate work explores a range of opportunities and design challenges where ingenuity and resourcefulness are inspired through living within nature’s limits, putting human wellbeing at the heart of creativity and questioning the current status quo. xxxx

via http://www.sustainable-fashion.com

Ada Zanditon uses a range of organic and natural fabrics as well as innovative waste reducing and energy conscious solutions to create sculptural, elegant, desirable fashion.

Zanditon sources the fabrics from ethical and reliable manufacturers. All the fabrics sourced are dyed with AZO-free dyes, which mean they won’t turn into cancer causing chemicals. Personal relationships are built with the small units that manufacture the clothing. Ada Zanditon recognises that it is a company that is part of an expanding market place of likeminded business.

Within the studio, eco friendly light bulbs, eco friendly cleaning products and recycled stationary are used. Cloth is cut and waste handled, optimising efficiency and use of all materials and fabrics in an effort to waste little and recycle as much as possible.

Whilst Zanditon is focused on being as ethical as possible it is also recognized that there is a need to do ongoing research and seek to improve standards in all areas. Where non natural materials- for example thread, is used, it is because there is not an adequately efficient ethical alternative

Ada Zanditon pioneers in creating and evolving a high end womenswear business with a common sense approach to sustainability, a commitment to transparency and a belief in business that treats people, planet and profit with equal importance.

via http://www.adaz.co.uk

hundreds of thousands of buttons, bells and delicate gold chains clash with a $2000 dollar Tom Binns necklace consisting of metallic safety pins, spontaneously placed among gold chains and petite turquoise rocks. d.i.y anyone? xxxx

just a few images that i found recently, they all hold soft and sharp elements, which my designs are always drawn to.

xxxx

i love collecting images that inspire me, something within them, usually an element of design, colour or concept seems to trigger a whole body of new ideas and design possibilities. These are magazine clippings i collected recently in preparation for my latest design brief. They follow concepts of architecture & structure vs soft & draped. i have also included element of muted and saturated colour. overall a contrasting collection of images, which always seem to contribute overwhelmingly towards my personal design aesthetic.

some negative impacts of cotton are:

1. Natural resource intensive: water & energy use.
2. Pollutants: pesticide, fertilizer and other chemical use that can harm both humans and the surrounding environment.
3. Social impact: poor working conditions, contact with hazardous chemicals, poverty level wages.

GLOBALLY WE USE OVER 25 MILLION TONNES OF COTTON ANNUALLY.

Some alternative methods of growing cotton include: organic grown cotton, low chemical cotton, rain fed cotton and drip irrigated cotton.

Polyester production is similar to cotton. One can argue, which fibre is more sustainable. Polyester production uses minimal water as apposed to cotton, but both produce a considerate amount of energy. Both contain harmful pollutants that can harm both humans and the surrounding environment.

Some alternative SUSTAINABLE methods of polyester production include: polyester not using catalyst agents - cobalt/manganese salts and avoiding antimony based catalists and recycled polyester.