My aim is to work in the fashion industry and when I visited Manchester Metropolitan University I was inspired, seeing examples of work and students currently studying this course. I am creative and outgoing, and enjoy designing and creating striking fashion garments. The course I chose would demand me to think of new ideas for designs which I always aim to do. I feel throughout my textiles courses so far I have gained experience in different processes of fashion and design, learning ways of design illustration, using CAD/CAM for pattern drafting, using a laser cutter and sublimation printer, using practical sewing skills to manufacture my products and evaluating and analysing my work.

These photos show work from 2 projects from my AS Level and A Level textiles courses. One design brief was to design and manufacture a dressed mannequin inspired by the media. I chose Vogue magazine and sublimation printed fabric with images of covers of Vogue. I used this fabric to make the dress for the mannequin and used various fabric manipulation techniques and embellishments. The bodice was stiffened and I appliqued 2 panels of the bodice around small images of Vogue. The front panel was printed on and I stitched small pintucks across, and the back had designers' names and text printed on and laced up with black ribbon through rouleau loops. The skirt was 2 layers with a third layer above these, as a peplum skirt stitched to the bodice. The peplum skirt was pleated before sublimation printed so that the white fabric colour could be seen. The 2 layers of the skirt had wired piped edging to hold the shape.
My current design brief is to design a garment inspired by Alexander McQueen designs. I chose this brief as his design are unique and unusual so I saw this as being creatively challenging. I included development of 2 of my designs for this brief and sampling.

Sampling for my Design Inspired by Alexander McQueen

Sampling for a design, including fabric samples, sampled sections such as the pleated net skirt, and a sample of laser cut satin and organza fabric overlayed to create the effect in the design.

I used a 2D design software to create the pattern then used the laser cutter to cut the pattern from the fabric.

Development of a Design Idea inspired by Alexander McQueen Designs

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Designs for my new design brief:

"Design and manufacture a garment inspired by Alexander McQueen"

Materials used: Watercolours and fineliner

I researched his previous designs using magazines and Alexander McQueen: Genius of a Generation to incorporate his style and key design features, such as birds and fish themes, with my designs which include fishtail skirts and wings.

Dressed Mannequin Inspired by Vogue Magazine

Front and back views of my finished dressed mannequin

Sampling for the Dressed Mannequin

Sampling different techniques using the sublimation printer such as using mesh grids and threads to make patterns, pleating, rouleau loops, tearing the images, printing on ribbon using angelina fibres, different methods of pintucks, and applique.

Final Design for my Dressed Mannequin Inspired by Vogue Magazine

This is the final design for my dressed mannequin. Illustrated with watercolour pencils and fineliner. 

I used thumbnail images of Vogue magazine covers in the chosen colours to show where different colour themes would be used in the design. 

The bodice is stiffened with interfacing and has a peplum skirt. The main skirt piece has 2 layers with wired piped edging.

The fabric is all sublimation printed with images of Vogue magazine covers, or designers' names. 

Development of a Design Idea for the Dressed Mannequin

This is one design which I developed from my initial ideas to a potential final design. I included a sample of silk fabric which I painted using silk paints. This is a sample of the fabric and technique I would use for this design. 

Close Up Detail of Mannequin

This is a close up of the pintucks on the stiffened bodice front, the mesh pattern printed side panel and of the peplum skirt which is pleated and sublimation printed. The structured flower embellishment is also shown on the front, made from contrasting black fabric, made using a laser cutter and origami style folding. 

Initial Ideas Sketches

Sketches and drawings of my ideas for the design brief:

"Design and manufacture a dressed mannequin inspired by the media"

This design sheet mostly shows ideas for shapes and styles of the dress.