SWAY

OK, our new project is called 'SWAY', and its based on movement in nature. The final outcome is an outfit for our fashion show in June. Some examples we have been given to base our designs on are lava, animals (swarms, shoals, flocks), seeds, wind and weather. We have to study the movement of whatever it is we choose base our designs on, and 'through close observations translate your findings inventivly into fabric'. So this really isnt just a case of choosing to focus on shoals of fish, then printing cute little fish motifs onto a dress! Some key words to think about are - billowing, flying, trailing, floatng, erutping, flapping, darting, trembling, exploding, escaping, quivering, flowing, growing, spreading, fracturing and dissapearing. We need to not only think about making the fabric represent our chosen theme, we also need to consider how the garment and the fabric will move when its on the body, taking the key words into consideration.

"The connection between your fabrics, the three dimensional forms that they create and the movement of the human body through space when worn, are a key focus of the project. Your garments can encourage expansive movement, achieved by their volume and form or by 'trompe l'oeil' illusions of scale. Alternatively, garment shapes can exaggerate the human form by revealing and emphasising movement, when worn. Garments can be designed to swing of flap, trains and extensions can flutter, fabrics can shimmer, fringes can tremble, knots can bind or trap and pleats can break free. The fabric qualities will inform your garment structure"

So we have our Easter break to research, and then we find out more when we go back in April. Sounds exciting!