Draping the tights ... The Skies the Limit

Let’s get tucked in! Though I have been experimenting with lots of different techniques, it has now been 5-6 weeks since the start of the course and I have yet touched a stand!!! Finally the moment has come … Draping!! Well only on a ¼ size one to start.

First and Second Drape ... I find the transparency of this fabric really effective in creating layers and complexity of this technique. Though the material is so simple, the added creases from when I crushed it (accidently in my bag) has made the piece even more textural and even more elaborate. The shape it forms around the body is without a doubt unique and unachievable if pattern cut and it is this which excites me when silhouettes are formed without a trace of constuction.

The following collage and images are all drape designs I did- each with the top of the tights placed on a different position on the body and moulded accordingly

Ive noticed that the 'leg' part of the tights really hard to mould ( especially when i covered it in so much glue)- so in majority of the drapes, i have tried hide and disguise it in other areas of the drape rather than using it to enhance the design ...was i wrong?

From this experiment i am now strongly engaged in the true meaning of what this MA course is about... to create the unachievable and to display the unseen of what ‘fashion’ could be.  

Stretching Tights... such a mission

The second stretch i tried experimenting with was with tights.... success? Yeah i guess so , but the piece got crushed in my bag before i even got a change to drape it, Oops ...

As there was now less 'fabric' to stretch aound the shape- it created alot of difficulty to mould around the 3D structure ( 2 polystyrene cubes)... i wonder if you can buy tight 'fabric' on a roll?

Why was it a mission ... lets say i tried to bite more than i can chew - tshape was too big and failed stretching over it.. haha.. also the noise was unbearable - squeak squeak ! 

Though I never had high hopes for this trial to work and for the fabric tights to stay in shape… it actually did. Amazing results! The transparency of the tights created a very interest outcome and depth. The area where polystyrene foam remains on the tights especially create a more defined edge which could be used to an advantage when draping on a stand….

Right, now to drape !! exciting !

Plaster moulding- casting the unknown

There are many ways how 3D shapes can be formed, today I explored one of them … plaster

Plaster models made with left over plaster... could this be another stacking monster ?

After a short demonstration from Mark (technician), I rolled up my sleeves and got my hands dirty – who would’ve thought fashion could get this messy!

At first there wasn’t a specific shape I wanted to cast or plaster, but after considering what textures the plaster can carry- I experiments with corrugated cardboard and moulded it into a curve before plastering.

I find the mysterious factor of this technique really thriving, in a way, it's similar to my previous work in that questions aren’t answered until the end.

Below is a collage of my first experiment. Originally I wanted the curve to be quite smooth… but somehow ‘failed’ in achieving this outcome as a crease/ dent was also cast. In away- imperfection could be perfect – things happen for a cause right?

Nevertheless, I found the outcome quite intriguing and different to how I would usually approach ‘fashion’. The added cardboard remains also add another layer of depth in making it ‘resemble’ it’s original state but not…

From the ‘failure’ of achieving the smooth curve- I exaggerated the creases in my second attempt to see if I could achieve a completely different outcome.

Plaster is usually used to create something filling a mould or model casted from another object. Looking at these 2 pieces of work I have created- I think it definitely shows the nature of cardboard but in a more solid rigid format. The illusion factor of this piece is very strong and in many ways captures your attention and justification to what it could be.

As I have also been looking at lighting in my research- I took images of the 2^nd cast with and without flash. 2 different outcome and opposites have been created –

The Crisp VS the Soft,

The Smooth VS the Rough

The Fragile VS the strong  

Going forward … there are many directions I can take this … but is this I want? At the moment I find plaster too restricting, too solid, too set in stone… but maybe I can coat the module cast in another material to create the same ‘texture’ and ‘shape’, but in a more flexible form.