Final Evaluation...

Olivia Mullin

Final Evaluation: Materials, Techniques and Processes

As part of the current unit I have been studying I have learnt to use and find the values of different materials and how they can be used in garments weather they are suitable to fit purpose. As part of the brief I had to design a dress based on ‘ Equality and Diversity theme, I got given sexuality to base my dress design around. From this I developed my final garment from my inspirations and research.

Firstly I began to research into a diverse range of illustrators because my theme had to convey sexuality the illustrators I researched needed to show feminine lines, motion of sexuality and facial expressions that also conveyed sexuality. One illustrator in particular stood out to me Manuel Rebollo he uses graphic’s through many of his illustrations which foreshow sexual poses, from this illustrator I then got the idea of ‘Celebrating Curves’ for my final theme looking at the circular shapes in his illustrations gave me the inspiration to convey circular curves through my garment. I then looked at similar illustrators from the likes of Akari Inoguchi, Nuna Dacosa with conveyed curvy feminine lines but using different techniques and medias.

I experimented with some of the illustrators work using pencil to sketch, black fine liners to pick up certain lines in the illustrators work and to show my understanding of graphics and the use of photo shop so I experimented with shapes and air brushing. I found it hard sometimes to find certain information on illustrators this was often when I had to say what the illustrator was conveying or how they found their inspirations so I found some of the information in Library textbooks rather than just using the internet as they are more of a reliable source.

As part of the brief I had to select my final fabrics I had to put together a colour page that was influenced by my design methods, whilst I was researching into different things that influenced sexuality. I came across Cleopatra this gave me a very rich colour pallet with beiges, gold’s, and blacks I felt the gold’s conveyed the sexuality through my garment Cleopatra also influenced me to create a number of layers on my garment as all of her head pieces stood out from all the embellishments.

Once I Had a strong colour pallet I had to research into a range of fabrics and the suability to my final designed garment. From looking at the brief I researched into fabric shops in Manchester and came to the conclusion of going to Abakan, when I went they had a very diverse range of different fabrics that would suit my garment I needed to take into account the price per metre, How much material I will need, the stock number, and are they hard materials to work with? As my garment was quiet structured with the straps holding my garment in place I needed my fabric samples to be strong I showed this evidence in my sketch book and discussed with my tutors what would give me the best outcome before buying my final fabrics.

Once I had found the right suitable fabrics for my garment I looked through Haute Couture books that helped me sample throughout my sketch book, I came to a conclusion that suffolk puffs would be the best method for me to attach to the straps of my garment. I also experimented with different methods I found in the Haute Couture book evidence is found in my sketch book.

Carrying on from this I began to create my final garment put of my final fabrics and adapted pattern pieces I found this very challenging as I do struggle with pattern cutting however by taking my time and working on each step with extra care I managed to get my garment completed!

Something I particularly liked doing whilst doing this unit was my toile diary I found this helped me a lot in the progress of making my garment with labeled pictures of each step and if there was a problem how I overcame it. I also enjoyed seeing the outcome of my dress on the catwalk as I put a lot of effort into creating the suffolk puffs although it was a long hard process once they were added to the straps of my garment they looked well worth it!

Overall I think I have enjoyed this unit the most as I feel I have achieved the most out of it. My dress making skills have improved this will then help me in my second year of fashion if I wanted to make a dress for my final year collection. Seeing my garment on the catwalk was great as I feel it gave me at sense of achievement and that all my hard work had payed of. I also enjoyed working with the models in the fashion show they were all lovely girls and helped to show of every ones garments.

In conclusion to all of my work over the past two months I have learnt new dress making skills, where to source the best fabrics for making garments, how to put together a toile diary, and learnt more about how catwalk fashions work! I feel I can take these skills to my second year. However there was certain aspects I did not enjoy for e.g. finding illustrators to suit my theme however I overcame this by looking at a range of illustrators that include graphic work and computer technology in there illustrations as I am interested in graphic design.