‘Dream On’ is a maximalist S/S 24 collection inspired by retrofuturism, particularly the 1970’s perspective of what the future would be. Inspiration is taken from the futuristic interior designers of the 70’s along with contemporary digital and physical artists. The collection takes the retrospective ideas of the future and combines them with the reality and potential we have today.
The purpose of this collection is to highlight the connection between these two eras where both have experienced war, human rights campaigning and cost of living crisis’. It shows that, through the darkness, it is human nature to find the light in response and that if we could do it then, we can do it now.
My 6 outfit collection consists of an outer-garment per outfit along with garments underneath showcasing different skills and techniques such as printmaking, fabric manipulation, draping and tailoring.
Each outfit can be interchanged between outerwear to create new looks and allows for a variety of purposes for each outfit thereafter ranging from partywear, day-to-day and futuristic statements.
Outfit 1 - Textured paint coat, Textured corset and Harness, Printed Satin Shirt, Velvet Trousers
Outfit 2 - Textured faux suede cape, Printed Satin Dress, Velvet Shorts
Outfit 3 - Quilted cape, Printed faux suede utility jumpsuit
Outfit 4 - Clear PVC raincoat, Metallic colour-shifting dress
Outfit 5 - Stuffed/Quilted/Textured Noodle Accessories, Textured Dress
Outfit 6 - Inflated Clear PVC puffer coat, Knitted Leotard
This outfit is more inspired by the rise of women in the workplace throughout the 70's. The movement then led to the typically bland formalwear of their male colleagues being adopted with more personality, femininity and colour being showcased in offices across the world.
Details of this outfit include the textured fabric of the coat, corset and harness which was dyed and textured by myself, originally being beige curtain fabric, which harkens to the repurposing of upholstery materials for fashion which was popular throughout the 70's. Included are embroidered elbow patches and pockets to bring another element of print into the design which is reflected in the sublimation printed frilled shirt. The velvet trousers include pockets and utilise the pile of the fabric to create a colour-block effect of a light and dark shade to the fabric for front and back to create depth and embrace the colour-block aesthetics of the era.
This outfit is inspired by ideas of the future with dramatic sculptural shapes within the cape whilst using the popular check pattern to keep it in the 70's world. The silhouette of the cape also makes use of the hexagonal shape which is a running theme throughout this collection showing up throughout different garments.
The dress uses two clashing prints which helps create the maximalist aesthetic whilst still maintaining it's wearability. The velvet shorts not only provide comfort to the wearer but also link back to the colour-blocking and the popular 'hot pants' shorts in the 70's.
The PVC raincoat of outfit 4 is inspired by the futuristic space-age aesthetic especially in the detail of the fitted hood which resembles those that astronauts had worn in their suits. The dress underneath carries on this aesthetic whilst tying in the studio 54, disco style of revealing partywear. The fabric of this garment was manipulated from a metallic stretch material that then had the black stretch backing removed to then place the metallic mesh over green lining, creating a new colour-shifting fabric which matches the colour palette of the collection.
The dress of outfit 5 is the sister of the cape from Outfit 2 repurposing the fabric and texture in a different way completely. The dress gives a base for the intertwined noodle accessories, these noodles are a vessel for textures and colour to add to a tactile and maximalist collection. Along with being a sculptural piece, the accessories are stuffed with waste tartan selvedge, fabric scraps and recycled stuffing in order to create a more sustainable and fun accessory.
An edited poster to promote the collection in a 70's retro style.
