Working in industry in my placement saw me furthering my exploration into sustainable fashion. As this is a strong interest of mine, I worked with fashion revolution which features in the Fashioned by nature exhibition. These images were taken at the Disco Make event in collaboration with Green Peace which featured a number of stations that incorporated the use of old clothes such as a styling workshop, visible mending of old denim pieces and crochet and knitting workshops using sustainable wool.

V&A showcased the Fashioned By Nature exhibition which presented how nature has been carried through fashion from early 20th century to present day, looking at the use animals in relation to fabrics and accessories such as fur whilst also covering how dyes were processed. The exhibition went on to look at how fashion today is incorporating natural and ethical practices into the industry featuring designer such as Stella McCartney and Christopher Raeburn. A collaboration with Stella McCartney and Bolt threads produced innovative technology such as Mycelium (underground root structure of a mushroom) to create modern garments.

Alicja Kwade’s ‘WeltenLinie’ installation at the Hayward Gallery explores different visualising illusive techniques combining various materials such as numerous metals and other rigid, coloured objects. I found this piece engaging due to the minimalist approach to its execution but the as you made your way around the installation the various reflections from different objects created depth.  Narcissus Garden by Yayoi Kusama displays simplicity through a sea of silver  reflective orbs. Yayoi Kusama explains that this installation is to signify ‘infinity, self-obliteration, and compulsive repetition in objects and forms’. This particular installation conveyed the idea that there is a wider concept of thought behind an abject that is portrayed as very minimal which I feel can be translated into my work.

Throughout the shape shifters exhibition, the installations that featured were constantly testing the idea of architectural complexity, particularly looking at Monika Sosnowska’s work Sosnowska begins by posing as part of the gallery then works its way into creating an oversized piece suspended on the wall. The use of existing building features meant that the final outcome was unexpected with the sole focus of the installation is the individuals investigation into the contrast of the structure of the building.

A visit to the Tate modern, saw an exploration of various sculptures and paintings which a reflection of complex topics and ideas were. Joseph Beuys ‘The Social Organism a work art’ which looks at the idea of nature being the centre of society. In comparison to other pieces in the exhibition space, his work it very minimal using lines and faint sketches to portray his idea of our naturalistic instincts need to be regarded. In contrast, Jannis Kounellis with her work of ‘Untitled 1968’ showed a large wooden frame layered with various woollen fabrics. This piece was explored whilst creating other sculptures out of ‘un conventional ‘non-art’ pieces’. I liked this piece as I feel it reflected the idea of nature and using natural resources similar to Joseph Beuys work. Using natural materials and the natural world is something that I would like to further research as it is a large contrast to what society is like today whilst also combining this together.

I decided to look at Helen Kirkum as she is another designer who uses waste products to construct new products. Kirkum utilises ‘disregarded’ shoe parts to assemble a completely new design. She uses her pieces to explore the idea that we are living in a highly commercialised society. Figure 179 has a clear design layout, using an image of the garment or product with the what the item looked like beforehand. This concept is strong, making the consumer aware of the transparency as well as making an impact.

I created a series of experiments in layout using various images. These images have been distorted, extracted and reconstructed in photoshop whilst also looking at scale that has been researched through artists work.

For various graphics i started looking at how plastic has become a major pollutant of our oceans. This image was originally in colour, using photoshop, i edited the colour whilst also cutting out the center of the image to expose the separate image underneath.

Figures 254 and 255 see a series of experiments made with font using Photoshop and illustrator. I used a variety of fonts and colour, whilst also using simple fonts and illustrative ideas.  I found that the typography in Figure 254 were more successful than the other as they look more powerful than the ones created on illustrator.

For typography experimentation, I looked at using various fonts that reflected sustainability. I used more handwritten styles as a contradiction of the ferocity¬ that the topic areas project. I used block colours as well as layering to make them look 3D. I experimented with different names looking at how the variation of letters sits differently depending on the typeface. Overall, i prefer the look of the bold text as it projects its self clearer.

I decided to look at Helen Kirkum as she is another designer who uses waste products to construct new products. Kirkum utilises ‘disregarded’ shoe parts to assemble a completely new design. She uses her pieces to explore the idea that we are living in a highly commercialised society.

Figure 179 has a clear design layout, using an image of the garment or product with the what the item looked like beforehand.This concept is strong, making the consumer aware of the transparency aswell as making an impact.

Stella McCartney who is at the forefront of Sustainable fashion produced an enthralling ad campaign for her 2017 winter collection which features several frames of models within landfill waste. Stella McCartney as seen in the Fashioned By Nature exhibitions is continuously testing the boundaries of innovative fabrics and fibres. Using this campaign engaged with her customer and whilst getting media attention to raise the point of how much waste is going to landfill. Powerful imagery like this is mothing that I want to be consistent though my magazine. .