FINALY FINISHED

I produced a garment, print and textile samples based around the idea of obesity. I explored a range of textile techniques, experimenting with different materials and created a range of prints. I also designed a final line up with flats and made one of my garments.  

I mostly used my blog as I used it as if I was writing a dairy and used it to describe what I did on each day with the good and bad parts of the day. It’s a way for me to be reflective and help me keep to my time plan to ensure I finish in time. Creating the blog also helped me to improve myself as it allowed me to self- reflect. I also added pictures as a visual look on what I did throughout the week. I went back every week and went through how I felt on each day and what I effective or didn’t effective to push and encourage myself. I also used my sketchbook as if I’m writing a book as it tells a story from beginning to the end in a visual format and my blog helps to explain further how I got to each point. I think my sketchbook is my main source of expression and learning as I feel I’m a visual learner I prefer to work more in my sketchbook and spent most of my time on this.   

My aim was to explore both textiles and design which I think I did effectively, I created textiles and print samples and added print on to my final garment and final line up. I also managed to set up a interview for research purposes to explore the idea of glorified obesity in the African community.

Looking at the artist Victoria Reynolads’ oil paintings and drawings of raw meat deconstruct the idea of preparing flesh for the purpose of consumption and I created some responses to her work. This contributed in terms of colour and print design. Also exploring the idea of fatty tissue by stuffing tights which I then scanned in and manipulated the shape. I then looked at the shapes created and took the silhouette from this when designing. 

Some advice I found very helpful was one, during a one to one tutorial my tutor gave me a list of artist and may want to look at as she felt it related to my work and it was very helpful in terms of my development and inspired me with creating my final print which is shown in my final garment. The artist was called Victoria Reynolads as at the point I was looking at comparing the female body to animals. Another piece of advice I found very helpful was on another one to one tutorial where my tutor explained she felt like I should look more into the silhouette so I started experimenting on the mannequin by stuffing nude skin tights which helped inspire me during the design process. I felt like both advice was very helpful and had an impact on my development which helped me to produce the finals.

From this project I have taken away a lot of things which will help me in the future. I’ve learnt that I enjoy working in a certain way when exploring textiles, I combined my love for drawing and art by exploring my ideas and developing them and without me even knowing I’ve created a range of prints. By this I’m combining my love and skill for art with fashion which is something I’ve always wanted to master. I wanted to explore more into the textile aspect in design so I can combine both together. I have also learned how to develop ideas efficiently through mannequin work and research. Another skill I’ve learnt is how to present my work in an aesthetically pleasuring way to ensure I showcase my work in the best way possible, I feel like presentation is very important as it’s a reflection of your work and helps to show the story within your sketchbook. However I still feel like I need to experiment much more and take risk with my work, designs and materials.