WEEK 4: deepening my research
Our group crit on 17th October revealed that my ideas so far are perhaps too textile based and that there is not enough research to back up my ideas as a realistic “manifesto” for fashion change. As I do not want to alter my ideas completely, this has encouraged me to continue and deepen my research into areas that relate to my chosen topic, and ensure that I bring fashion/garment ideas and visuals into my work (as much as I do enjoy to work with art and lifestyle concepts). I do not want my work to focus on textiles or plant dyes necessarily but do want to use this idea in my publication, so will ensure I incorporate this somehow into other visual work – perhaps to be used in illustration or collage for fashion? Showing that I have considered textile methods such as fabrics and dyes while also illustrating finished garments in trends?
I have conducted some research in my sketchbook into fashion illustrators to strengthen my illustration work, and one in particular that I looked at interested me. Elyse Blackshaw’s fashion illustrations are expressive while also being young, fun and contemporary. They remind me of the comments I made on Basquiat’s work at the start of my research, of how I wanted to learn to be more expressive and not to confine my work too much or be too perfectionistic. Her figures focus on colour and texture rather than defined shapes, with a childlike quality.
I have also begun to look more thoroughly at trend reports and trend books, e.g. at Trend Union’s books, the “mode information” website (which stocks styling forecasts, trend books and colour books) and WGSN reports online, to examine the kind of imagery used and how trends are portrayed, described and analysed. This has given me a better understanding of what my publication should include, from the graphics/layout, to text, photography and illustration, and has inspired me to create a broader range of imagery to enable the book to act as a sort of “moodpboard” so that readers can really understand my concept.