costume creation

WITH RECYCLED MATERIALS

WELCOME ARTISTS!

LESSON 1: INTRODUCTION

Mrs Fazli has shown us some of your beautiful fashion drawings. https://sites.google.com/view/recycled-art/olgc-fashion-drawings

As a follow up to your fashion drawings in term 3, this recycled fashion project will let you explore your fashion ideas further but in a different way. You will work in groups of 2 or 3 to create either a top or bottom but you will be using recycled materials.

Points to Note:

  1. The top or bottom outfit you make must be wearable.

  2. Choose a team-mate from your group who will wear the finished outfit for photos and a presentation on Nov 8 (last lesson).

  3. Plan your idea based on the materials available and what materials you can source from home. Don't buy. Use only recycled materials.

  4. Think of attachment techniques and materials to use to attach/connect/weave.

  5. Think of how to use recycled materials as much as possible and how to use as little attachment materials (eg tape, glue etc) as possible to achieve your desired outcome. Remember the idea is to reduce waste. USE LESS.

  6. Keep in mind the attachment, for eg, coloured masking tape or ribbons, can also be used as part of your design.

  7. Think back and reference your fashion drawings you did in Term 3. Can you adapt the ideas for your fashion piece?

  8. Sketch your top or bottom before you start construction. Note down in your sketch what materials and attachments you intend to use. Show teacher Jessica or teacher Laura before you commence.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Develop creative thinking and problem-solving skills by repurposing found recycled materials into a wearable fashion piece.

THE CHALLENGE:

  1. Think of what materials you have access to at home. What can you repurpose to make a wearable outfit?

  2. How do you attach with other recycled materials? Cut cardboard strips to weave/join? Cut slits to connect?

  3. How do you maximize the materials you have? (PLAN PLAN PLAN!) Adjust along the way but you MUST have a plan / design / sketch.

Before you design and create your costume, ask:

  1. Who are you designing for?

  2. What is this character / person representing?

  3. How will this character / person present the costume?

  4. What recycled materials will be most suitable to create your costume idea?

  5. Limit the recycled material to one type or maximum two types. For example, if you choose paper, focus on making the costume with paper only. Don't add foam or CDs etc. See photos of the finished recycled material outfits. Notice the artists focus on creating design with shape and repetition using the same type of material.

  6. Sketch your ideas out first and create your moodboard.

  7. Choose the model who will wear this fashion creation.

  8. Make necessary measurements depending on your design so that the outfit can fit your model well. For example, if you are making a skirt, measure the waist and plan how the opening should be made so that it can be worn. Think and plan!

Making a Costume from Recycled Materials

  1. See examples of fashion created with recycled materials by various artists. https://www.foapom.com/fashionshow2018/ (source of photo above)

  2. Brainstorm types of recycled materials that can be used. Think about what's available in your home.

  3. Brainstorm ways and methods of how to attach the material. Be curious. Experiment!

  4. Discuss and plan your costume. Do sketches. Plan the materials and attachment/joining techniques.


By the end of lesson 1, please present your costume idea and sketch with your materials list to Teacher Jessica or Teacher Laura so that you can get approval to start construction in lesson 2.

Bring your materials for the costume construction for the next lesson.

Styrofoam

Collect non-oily styrofoam used to package fruits or any used to wrap packaging.

Foam web

Collect from fruit packaging.

rolls

Collect toilet roll centres, kitchen towel rolls, cereal or food boxes and other small cardboard packaging.

Recycled Materials You May Consider:

  • Plastic bottles

  • Bubble-wrap

  • Packing paper from shoe boxes (thinner)

  • Used test papers and assessment book papers

  • Plastic or paper bags

  • Bottle caps

  • CDs

  • Plastic packaging and wrappers

  • Thin packing paper

  • Old books

  • Expired cleaned cloth masks

  • Packing foam sheets

  • Newspapers

  • Paper packaging

Attachment Material Options:

  • Rafia string

  • String

  • Twine

  • Ribbons

  • Masking Tape

  • Scotch tape

  • Weaving

  • Knots

  • Stapler

  • Hole-puncher (to create holes to thread string or ribbon)

  • Glue

Bring your own scissors or additional tools or materials you may need to create your costume.

Here are some recycled costume/fashion ideas:

Notice that these "trashion" (fashion from trash) examples use one main type of recycled material and create design patterns through repetition and creative ways of attachment.

Source of images: Pinterest

Possible Outcomes:

How to Make a Newspaper Dress: