Final result:
Monday, 7 June 2021
Collection three:
Open back dresses has been a hot trend this summer. With a simple front and a personalized back design, also a permeability and functional outfit which is perfect to be the summer item. The cutout of the back highlighted the muscle shape, added a bit of sexy but not being too indecent. I wanted to combine it with the short skirt, it might be more suitable for the target audience.
In addition, I combined rock art, some of the cave painting element into this collection. Africa's rock art is the common heritage of all African, I think present them by using a fashion way will be interesting, which become a walking art installation. I noticed that most of the cave painting record are about animals and human, so I might put on and focus those related elements into the collection.
Reference Picture:
Reference:
Foundation, B. Rock Art in Africa. [Online] Bradshaw Foundation. Available from : http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/coulson/ [Accessed 08/06/21].
These Open-Back Summer Dresses Will Take You Into Fall. (2020) [Online] YOYOKULALA. Available from : https://yoyokulala.com/fashion/open-back-dresses-summer-trend/ [Accessed 08/06/21].
Spring/ Summer 2021 Fashion Trends: Top 31 Fashion Trends. (2020) [Online] Glowsly. Available from : https://glowsly.com/spring-summer-fashion-trends/ [Accessed 08/06/21].
Chad’s ancient Ennedi cave paintings defaced. (2017) BBC News, 20 Mar.
Collection two: Process
I selected the Brush Tool 'Syrup' to outline the basic design, painted and filled in the background base colour, and then added the shadows and outlines gradually. I separate the design into two parts and consequently into two layers, which the left with the grid pattern and the totem pattern on the right. Divided into two different layers can help the design easier to organize and more distinct.
During the process, I slightly edited some details and created two versions. The left-hand side with a light brown checkered line, I think it really emphasizes the fabric texture and greatly stands out the design pattern, however as a result of the design itself which already included red plaid, under too much with the grid design will affecting the visual effect and being a bit chaotic, therefore I finally decided to retain the original lines.
Imitated the front side and did the same thing with the back again. Also, I copied some major colour next to the template, which leads me easier to create a similar colour pattern for the collection.
Added back some accessories.
The final result:
Collection One: Process
I used the same app Procreate as the last two-term to complete my collection. In the beginning, I sketched out the basic shape and put on the colour which makes the process easier to draw a design that fits the proportions of the shape.
And then I added details and shadows on top gradually. I found it a bit difficult to finish totems within a small specific area, so I decided to add one more layer on top and paint directly on this layer so that I wouldn't erase the underlying colour and it will be easier to edit the shape of the totem under the situation of not affecting other sketches.
In the later stage, I was considering the colour doesn't really feel like summer and there was distance with the African primitive earth tone colour, therefore I changed the background colour back to jujube red, and I also tried to insert and explore different colour totem combinations.
Imitating the front side and did the same process with the back.
Final Result:
Collection one:
There are 70% of responses answered the question that they prefer to wear T-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts with pant to school. Therefore, in order to cater for the market demand, I combined one of the 2021 fashion trends- massive size design and low-rise trouser. The baggy pants with a loose and louche design can show off the body shape or even the curve of the waist. Personally, I really like this combination, as the design is peg-tops in which the top is narrow and the bottom is wide, they would be a nice choice to cover up my pear body shaped figure and my legs. The spacious and comfortable space of the pants, avoiding the friction between the pants and the thighs that are absolutely perfect for summer wear.
For the African primitive culture, I incorporated some tribal face mask pattern into the pant design. Because face masks have played an important role in their culture, especially the various rituals or ceremonies, expressing spiritual presences in initiation rites and funeral rites. Or maybe some of them represent the spirits of deceased ancestors, some of them represent totem animals, creatures that are important to a family of the tribe. These distinct cultural traits are well worth including in the design.
Hence, I also used the idea of the African dressing style in the first collection. They use to dress and cover up a few layers of fabric, but I think this kind of dressing habit will a bit cramped and airtight, especially in summer. Therefore, I considered and decided to adjust this dressing style into a crop top design, reduce the covered area and presented the whole effect with a sense of comfy and freshness.
Reference:
Newbold, A. So Long Low-Risers! This Is The Trouser Shape Of SS21. [Online] British Vogue. Available from: https://www.vogue.co.uk/fashion/gallery/baggy-trousers-trend [Accessed 07/06/21].
Marzovilla, M.G., Julia (2021) 2021 Denim Trends To Try Now That Skinny Jeans Are Dead. [Online] StyleCaster. Available from: https://stylecaster.com/2021-jeans-trends/ [Accessed 07/06/21].
New item …
Saturday, 5 June 2021
Lecture Artist Research: Francisco Goya
In this class session, we learned about the artwork and some biography of one of the greatest artist Goya. I heard his name a few times in the art history textbook before but not very deep to look at his life, so this lecture will be an opportunity for me to know him better.
Francisco de Goya y Lucientes was born in 1746 in Fuendetodos, Spain. He was an artist whose multifarious paintings, drawings, and engravings reflected contemporary historical upheavals and influenced important 19th- and 20th-century painters. Goya began his artistic studies at 14 under Jose Luzan, a painter, and Anton Raphael Mengs, a German artist who worked as a court painter for the Spanish royal family. Goya’s career first took sharp in the 1770s, he painted tapestry cartoons for the Royal Tapestry Factory.
These featured scenes from everyday life, such as "The Parasol" (1777) and "The Pottery Vendor" (1779). Goya continued to rise in status during the 1780s, by winning commissions from many in royal circles, such as "The Duke and Duchess of Osuna and their Children" (1787-1788), he began to establish a reputation as a portrait artist. Later in 1788, Goya had become an appointed painter to King Charles III and promoted to court painter to King Charles IV during 1789–1808. However, Goya's career was briefly interrupted in 1792 when an undiagnosed illness left him permanently deaf. Although he continued to work for the Spanish royal family, his handicap led him to distance himself from public life as he grew increasingly bitter and depressed. Some said Goya had changed his painting style as he began to use the more intimate mediums of drawing and engraving. A series of 80 etchings published in 1799 In Los caprichos explored the corruption, greed, and repression rampant in the country. The subversive and subjective element in his art and his bold handling of paint provided a model for the work of later generations of artists, notably Manet and Picasso.
Goya's artwork was deeply connected to the era in which he lived. During the eighty-three years of his life, he constantly changed the style of his work from portraits for the court to modern themes of his own emotion, undoubtedly all of these artworks lead him to become a brilliant satirist. Goyal does play an important role in the development of Western art from classical to modern and I personally really admire what he had done for art history especially with his late art painting style. After Napoleon invaded Spain, his artwork presented out a serious, dark and melancholy atmosphere, which is not as same with bright and light as the early works of royal court painters, he captured the irrationality, violence and absurdity of everyone and political power, describing the dark side of that social intimacy.
I think there were just a few groups of people who were willing to truly express their own opinion. Because of his insistence and realism to society, I appreciate him very much at this point. Although he was afraid of being criticized by the Inquisition, he took back many of his satirical works. However later on, the people released that these works reflected the corruption of the society, which lead Goya to even more famous. I believe historical problems need to be faced squarely, no matter the society with periods of glory or even degradation, and all can be seen in Goya's work.
New item …
Reference:
Goya - The Complete Works - franciscodegoya.net. Available from: https://www.franciscodegoya.net/ [Accessed 05/06/21].
Francisco Goya | Biography, Art, Paintings, Etchings, & Facts. [Online] Encyclopedia Britannica. Available from: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Francisco-Goya [Accessed 07/06/21].
Francisco de Goya. [Online] Biography. Available from: https://www.biography.com/artist/francisco-de-goya [Accessed 07/06/21].
Francisco Goya Biography, Life & Quotes. [Online] The Art Story. Available from: https://www.theartstory.org/artist/goya-francisco/life-and-legacy/ [Accessed 05/06/21].
New item …
Goya - The Complete Works - franciscodegoya.net. Available from : https://www.franciscodegoya.net/ [Accessed 05/06/21].
Designer Research: Emmy Kasbit
To continue my research on African style fashion designer, a fast-rising African fashion brand has caught my attention. Emmy Kasbit, well known for their strong, architectural silhouettes co-operate with traditional West African weaving techniques and creating a fantastic juxtaposition of bold lines, vibrant colours and textures. It is founded in Nigeria in 2014 by Emmanuel Okoro.
Okoro grew up in a remote city in Eastern Nigeria called Abia State, which is significant for its distinct patterns and motifs rooted in Igbo customs. His childhood that spends surrounded by the nature helped him to gain inspirations for each season of Emmy Kasbit’s collections. However, before Okoro set his mind on fashion, he was a university student who studied computer science. Everything sparked beginning by a need to earn an income during Okoro’s university years. He started making clothes for peers. It was the moment that prompted him to advance his tailoring hobby into a full-time job.
“I’m telling an African story with every collection. I can’t tell [an African] story with a Western fabric. [By making my textiles] I can create and customize my motifs based on the inspiration of the season.”
Before Okoro launching his own brand, he worked under established designers and production houses and his experience had honed him with skills of basic making and pattern cutting. In 2014, Emmy Kasbit was birthed out of Okoro’s passion to clothe the unconventional man and woman who believe their outfit is deliberate and not accidental.
Emmy's design is full of a sense of fashion and modern style. In addition to the integration of his original African culture, he also successfully incorporated a lot of trend cutting and combined lots of colour use, which engender a feeling of freshness to the whole effect. Emmy's design style is not complicated as same as the traditional ones, I believe he mainly focuses on the pattern and details. The repetitive pattern is the characteristic of African design, and he also put this element into his design but not that dazzling which make everything clear and I really like it. His clothing pattern catered for most of today's market audience, for instance suit and jacket, which would be easier to attract customers to buy it and accept this colourful culture. Secondly, I also appreciate his use of matching colour, whether they are monochromatic or complementary colour, which all show his personal unique design style and fashion sence.
Research:
Emmy Kasbit - Haute Fashion Africa (HFA). [Online] Haute Fashion Africa. Available from: https://hautefashionafrica.com/designer/emmy-kasbit/ [Accessed 31/05/21].
Desmond, V. 5 African Fashion Designers You Need To Know Now. [Online] Nylon. Available from: https://www.nylon.com/fashion/african-fashion-designers-to-know [Accessed 31/05/21].
Style, B. (2020) Emmy Kasbit shows off the Beauty of Culture With this Arochukwu inspired Collection. [Online] BellaNaija. Available from: https://www.bellanaija.com/2020/01/emmy-kasbit-spring-summer-2020-collection/ [Accessed 01/06/21].
Wednesday, 2 June 2021
Feedback on Portfolio and Blogging
Today in class, we have grouped up to each other as a pair and talk about how we have done so far and then give feedback to each other. I paired up with Michel, shared some of the 2D completed designs work and introduced my basic project background to him. Most of the comments that I received were positive, Michel did think that my 2D graphic design can present out a sense of primitivism and reached the standard of today's modern fashion, which mean I was successful to attract a similar target market audience.
However, the only thing that needs to be speeded up with is my work efficiency. Due to the presentation, I just loaded the design result in a hurry without adding any explanation or introduction, and also I haven't finished the 3D design yet. Therefore, he reminded me that I need to speed up the progress to avoid being too hasty in the end.
Friday, 28 May 2021
2021 Summer fashion trend
Although the last semester I already researched about the fashion trending of spring and summer, they were all mainly focused on Victorian fashion which is all about elegance design, and they are more related to the last semester project theme ‘Purple Haze’. Also due to the fact that fashion trends are constantly changing every season, therefore I will analyze some of the new summer trends of this season in this blog post. In order to integrate with the theme of African primitivism art culture, retain the characteristics of their pattern and colour, I decided to research more about the trend of cutting for this time.
Cutout dresses
Cutout dresses have been a most popular fashion trend for this year, I think the design is quite suitable for the summer, which gives a sense of cool and refreshing, breezy. and it really suits the topic
An ultra-relaxed suit with a loose-fitting and comfortable design has been a trend for spring this summer. It can be seen in these few years, the suit is always being a choice for a causal look. I had been designing a suit for this two-term, but I maybe can edit them more like a summer-ready slouchy suit in a thin texture.
Using half and half materials is being a trend this year, a combination of two different items is interesting and new for me.
Spring Summer 2021 Runway Trend: Cutout dresses. (2021) [Online] Mode Rsvp. Available from : https://modersvp.com/spring-summer-2021-runway-trend-cutout-dresses/ [Accessed 28/05/21].
Primary research: Target market research questionnaire
As I had mentioned in the previous post, I narrow down the target market group and edit it to about 18-25 years old, which is more suitable for high street fashion. I had done a questionnaire of my classmate and friends who are all around my age, asked about 10 questions with the market research of what dressing habit they would like to purchase, and here are the 20 responses answer.
In the beginning, I asked about the basic information of the classmate with their age and gender. It can be seen in the survey, there are obviously about 17 of them are female and I am targeting the female fashion design trend which the result would be useful for my project.
About the colour palette, the highest responses in this question are rainbow of colours, the second ones are both basics colour and black&white colour. Base on the result, I believe that no one is picking sharp and bold colour are because they want to avoid excessive attraction and that some colours attract too much attention, so I will consider would I incorporate this colour or not into my collection.
There is near all the response, 18 people like to dress to make the most of their figure and 2 of them are not really like to. I may develop the cutting which can cultivate the sharps character.
In order to cater for the market need and also integrate with the African culture at the same time, I researched and asked relevant questions. Whether they would accept other styles of their dressing habit, the answered are all answered yes and maybe, which mean they are willing to try new clothing style if the price is reasonable and the design is fashionable.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)