3D Breadth Assignment #7:

Alternative Clothing

Areas of focus: proportion, texture, repetition, unity

Goal: explore fashion design by using an atypical material (e.g. newspaper suit, masking-tape coat, plastic-wrap prom dress, etc.) to create an object of clothing that fits you.

Process:

1. Idea development / research: Research fashion through the ages. Focus in on a particular type of outfit. How have styles changed? Sketch the little details that have evolved. Make a minimum of five pages of sketchbook research. You should have multiple sketches for each different part of your outfit (e.g. collar, bodice, skirt, etc) as well as multiple ways to pull it all together. You are attempting to create a look - it needs to have a concept behind it. What story do you want your outfit to tell about the wearer? About his / her values, opinions, personality?

Questions to ask for the “Self Portrait Bust”:

• How did / do fashions reflect the cultural values of the time?
• How can I make a statement through fashion?
• What fashion elements can I combine / manipulate to help me tell a visual story?

Also ask yourself how the elements and principles can be used to help convey your concept:

• What type of shape/forms (open vs closed, angular vs freeform, etc)?
• What type of textures (rough, smooth, fuzzy, spiky, slick, crinkly, etc)?
• What type of line (straight, winding, curvy, zig-zag, tapered, wiry, etc)?
• What type of color (bright, muted, natural, artificial, cool, warm, etc)?
• How can you manipulate the elements to tell your story by using design principles like repetition, rhythm, movement, balance, scale, emphasis, variety/unity, contrast?
1. Study the limitations of the material you have chosen. You can use newspaper, plastic, foil, cardboard, paper plates, candy wrappers - the sky’s the limit - but each of those materials will have advantages and disadvantages.
2. Make a pattern out of newspaper (even if your finished piece will also be made out of newspaper). This is the mock-up piece that can be cut, torn, adjusted on so you can be neater with your final piece.
3. Plan how best to adhere your pieces together. Just like a fashion designer carefully chooses the look of buttons, thread, stitch size, etc; so should you. The parts should be connected / joined in a purposeful / aesthetic way.
4. You must model this piece for the photographs. Plan accordingly so your clothing does not show underneath.