LACE & SPACE

LACE IS

Formed By the spaces between...

The capture of shadows and light...

Almost ephemeral...

This is a project I completed at fashion school, for a module called 'Laser Cutting and Intaglio.'

My initial concepts focused on the idea of spaces between things - the stuff that isn't there. Lace is a good example of this, as it is made of mostly holes. So, I researched the history of lace, and of lace collars. I then went on to make a laser-cutting design that played on the idea of space by layering chiffon cut as lace, to create different tones against the collar-bone of the wearer.

Still exploring the idea of the spaces between things, I decided to only use scraps of material which were left over from other projects - the rejects and the bits left between pattern pieces.

THE EPHEMERAL

As the project progressed, it developed, and I became interested in all things ephemeral:

those things that exist in a state between life and death; existing and non-existent. Temporary.

I began to play with shadow and light, using these to create momentary jewellery that I then immortalised in photography and in ink printing. 

I captured delicate petals inside chiffon, trapping them for the duration of their short life. 

My friend helped me to pour baby-powder on my neck in lace flowered patterns, creating a necklace that would blow away with a puff of wind.

I scratched a design into clear plastic, hung it above my collar bone to create a shadow box. The space between gathered all those reflections and patterns.

I placed this plastic jewellery onto a mirror, standing in the reflection to emulate a necklace on the person staring back at me. 

VALENTINO RED

SWATHES OF BUTTERFLIES

The colour red is beautiful

“Red has guts…. deep, strong, dramatic. A geranium red. A Goya red…. to be used like gold for furnishing a house… for clothes, it is strong, like black and white.”

— Valentino

Valentino designed his own distinctive red many years ago, and it has become iconic among his collections of stunning gowns. I simply love his designs, and my 2010 formal dress reflected a few classic Valentino elements. The mermaid silhouette with a subtle sweetheart neckline, and halter straps echo Valentino's minimalist shapes and forms. The fabric is a rich red silk Dupioni, of course. 

I spent a good couple of hours making metres of same-fabric ribbon, and then hand embroidered that ribbon into flowers. With the needle and thread, I worked the fabric into a garden, visited by a flurry of tiny butterflies.

Taking pictures in the garden was a lot of fun, my sister and I climbed over rusting pieces of corrugated metal, and mossy rocks to get these shots...

ROMAN SILK

Back in high school, I dreamed up a vision of pink silk...

Made out of a floaty and buttery 100% silk, the top of the bodice is hand pleated, the straps are pin tucked and adorned with a self-fabric plait. 

I adapted the design from a vogue pattern. I love the colour, very pink yet almost nude. I was inspired by the amazing draping techniques of the ancient greeks, and I remember wanting to look like a greek goddess with that laurel-wreath style headband. The dress was worn to my year 12 formal.