An Exploration of Subjected Nature
We each have a complex subjective reality which can often be far removed from a truer objective reality. My interest in fashion narratives and visuals, virtual technologies, and the myriad of materialistic options available is the reality I choose to use to interface with those around me. I was raised surrounded by wild landscapes and rural environments, and recognise we need to strike a more sustainable balance. My constructed, subjective reality has always contrasted strongly with this deep interest in the raw beauty of the natural world. And yet, many elements of progressive design practice can be rooted in the aesthetic and lessons of the natural world.
My recent diagnosis with dyslexia re-emphasised that every brain works differently; collectively we never perceive one object or concept in the same way; our subjective, constructed, multifarious reality may not truly be real and immutable. It struck me that at a time of climatic crisis, there is an urgent need to honour what is real, recognising what will continue to exist, even if there is no one here to perceive it.
This collection conceptually combines elements of subjective and objective realities, demonstrating both can work interlinked to create seasonless, heirloom, gender-neutral, eco-conscious, garments. The incorporation of natural and luxurious deadstock fabrics in a nature-inspired palette, enhanced using low-tech or nature-friendly manipulations for texture and print, and with the use of garment layering in fluid or structural shapes, enables users to wear and interpret this collection in their own unique manner - constructing their own reality in turn.
Colours are picked from natural and modern elements. Combined to create a neutral, wearable pallet used to represent seasonless and gender-neutral uses. Bright ochre yellow oranges and light blue tones appear with grassy greens to create bold statement garments as well as cooler metallic, dark blue, khaki and white tones to offer wardrobe staples. Texture is thoroughly explored throughout this collection to symbolise natural landscapes and features – the prime objective – an underlying constant that is paramount. Modern adornments and styling can be found in overlaying textures to represent our subjective materialistic world which dovetails with our objective in a harmonising way. Detailed manipulations have been created which will be found in the following imagery of interlinked garments.
Final range of Interlinked outfits together in unity showcasing the objective and subjective realities.
Technical Jacket, made with invisible pockets, piping, shoulder pads and structured bell sleeves with horsehair braid cuffs. Garment is showerproof and fully lined. Structures inspired by modern and natural shapes.
Morph Suit, with DNA print, silver foiling and invisible zipper. Head, hands and feet are fully covered to create a being of DNA imagery patterned with materialistic embellishment.
Crinkle Wide Leg Trouser, with classic trouser pockets, silver zipper and crinkle steamed cotton twill manipulation. Texture created to mimic those lines found within natural surfaces and in synthetic materials.
Outfit 2
Organza Veil, is sealed with a small rolled hem edge and draped to create an effortless overlay which can cover the face or drape over the shoulder. This can be styled in many ways aiding a seasonless and multi-use purpose increasing longevity. It represents flow and pathway between realities. It is two toned to improve colour quality and colour depth.
Intertwined Vest, of bright ochre yellow orange tones created by thread and stabiliser fabric manipulation. This is a garment designed to be used for layering purposes and offers a fashionable statement.
Plant Printed Jacket, features an asymmetric opening, extended bell sleeves, silver poppers, a high rise collar that can be worn up or down as an oversized collar, bamboo silk inner lining and finally a plant printed cotton linen blend outer shell. The plant printed fabric manipulation involved the natural printing of eucalyptus, flowers, marigold, turmeric powder, red onion skin and rusty rainwater. This garment involves eco friendly practices and materials helping interlinkage to further pay homage to our objective reality.
Padded harness, is another layering garment that offers showerproof protection and warmth for the upper body in a seasonless, neutral and modern manner.
Ultra Low Waist Trouser, in bright khaki green duchess satin. This garment features a slight asymmetric waist with one side lower than the other. This is to offer drama, yet some comfort in the overall silhouette of the trouser is provided. The hemline is also flared to provide further modern shape and structure. This is a modern garment that pushes boundaries.
Outfit 3
Holy Hood, found in the full interlinked collection image, has been created using distressed white organic denim. This features boning for structure, concealed french seam channels, facings and a raw edge eye slit. This reflects textures of lichen and the cuts of gems found in jewellery. Covering the human face in this manipulation allows for conceptual fashion as well as the opportunity to wear an easily removable hood.
Split Cape, in a silk satin blend fabric uses silver hook and eye fastenings to allow for an easily wearable garment for most occasions. It is lightweight and has movement offering flow and symbolising a pathway that interlinks the realities layered throughout this outfit.
Holy Extended Sleeve Top, features the distressed white organic denim manipulation, silver poppers, a high neck and draped extra long length sleeves. The sleeves offer conceptual extension and linkage pushing our subjective boundaries and reaching to the objective.
Asymmetric Wide Leg Shorts, include hooped hems, inner facing and classic pockets alike to those found within the Crinkle Wide Leg Trouser. The hoop structure mimics modern shapes found in cars and jewellery and natural shapes of cells and stones. Structure and statement with a modern asymmetric front opening which is closed with strong silver hook and eye fastening. The bright light blue organic cotton twill fabric offers a pop of colour.
Melted Metal Waistband, features reflective silver organza which has been manipulated with a heat gun to produce other worldly yet natural irregular shapes. This garment is simple yet offers a statement multi-use belt to be layered in any outfit.
