Similar Fabrics:
Cotton Knit Heavy Jackets
History of Textiles in Southeast Asia by Jasleen Dhamija
https://www-bloomsburyfashioncentral-com.cmu.idm.oclc.org/products/berg-fashion-library/encyclopedia/berg-encyclopedia-of-world-dress-and-fashion-south-asia-and-southeast-asia/history-of-textiles-of-south-asia
Fabric Savvy Book: Knits Double
– Needle: 75/11HS
– Stitch Length: Tiny zigzag, 0.5 mm width, 2.5 mm length
– Standard Presser Foot
Kamperett is a label designed by Anna Chiu and Valerie Santillo, based in San Francisco (California). What I enjoy the most about their work is their explorations with organza as a material. There is experimentation with the silhouettes, necklines, and types of hemming used. What I appreciate the most about their work is the neatness of the finishing techniques used. I typically see organza used in gowns for volume, or for the shine, but I really appreciate how Kamperett takes the material and is able to create a clean, polished silhouette out of it.
In these garments specifically I am interested in the type of layering used. Kamperett plays with the transparency of its garments as well as the fitting. I think the most interesting thing about garment wear is that someone can choose exactly what and what not to reveal, and these choices can be made in an endless amount of ways. Kamperett’s approach to this is using a transparent material that it manipulates for differing degrees of opacity. In some cases, the garments are more simple and single-layered, while in other cases the garment silhouette is mainly created through the layering used.
I find color blocking and translucency to be intriguing in fashion and everyday wear. As fashion continues to evolve and change, one thing that remains mostly constant is color variety and material choice. Since styles become outdated and overused quite quickly, more innovative means of altering our perception of color and texture can be explored.
Featured at the top of the images, Issey Miyake’s luminous jacket leverages both color blocking and layering of translucent materials to not only create hierarchy in an otherwise regular silhouette, but also provide utility and perhaps ventilation. I also enjoy the deconstructed morphed sweater from the Parsons ready-to-wear collection, as it stretches the boundaries of what defines a sweater and dress. In this case, the permeability of the dress changes at different elevations, this time more for an aesthetic. I hope to be able to explore why and what translucency can be used for in more everyday use.
In this post, I have featured three images of garment-based work that inspires me. I am excited about many different styles and types of garments, however, I think a common theme across work that I am interested in is elegance and good craft. I included the first photo because I am very interested in historical, cultural clothing and fell in love with this kimono design when I visited the Tokyo National Museum. The ornate details, colorful and textural qualities of the fabric, and geometric construction of the garment are all fascinating to me.
The second look inspires me because of how well-fitting and cohesive it is. The dress, cape, jewelry, and headpiece are all quite stunning and effectively convey a sense of sophistication. Lastly, I find the dress on the far right inspiring because of its unique structure and silhouette. The way that the dress flows out at the bottom is really intriguing, and the intricate patterns on the dress add another layer of interest. I would like to explore how different fabrics can create various effects and shapes when creating a garment.
When it comes to garments, I see myself intrigued by the way clothing forms silhouettes on the human body. I tend to study how the fabric lays on the body form to create a synchronous and architectural outcome. I love how these silhouettes enhance the shape of the body whether it is dramatically curvy or linearly even. Though there seems to be a lot of femininity in these garments, I feel like I am attracted to them with a genderless lens and simply for the power of pure sophistication that these garments hold.
In the examples I’ve attached, I love how all garments kind of look a derivative or a representation of the nature. The blue garment by Moncler Genius x Pierpaolo Piccioli uses a Japanese nylon puffer to create a dress garment that almost looks like ripples in a body of water. The baby pink haute couture piece by Giambattista Valli reminds me of a pink rose petal or a rose bouquet. I generally think the types of fabric, sewing, a fitting plays a strong role to show these resemblance, and I find them immaculate.
Im really inspired by anything and everything created by Iris Van Herpen. I love how she collabs with scientists and used new technology, like 3d printing, to create intricate detailing. I like how her garments are all just beautiful pieces of art and how this pushes the definition of fashion. I think I also view fashion as another medium of art and I like to make clothing thats more self-expressive.
I also like really outrageous and loud sculpture garments. I really like pieces that have big silhouettes and are basically beautiful costumes that are usually not worn by most people.
I also love anything with textures. I like when designers manipulate fabric and create interesting and unexpected textures. I also realize I gravitate towards clothing with interesting textures when I buy clothing. The tactile experience makes me feel less anxious so I find comfort in exploring textures when I make clothes.
I have only recently begun being more interested in fashion, and what really launched my interest in fashion were the outfits that K-pop idols wore. I have followed the Korean music industry for awhile, with my favorite part of the industry being the live shows and concerts where idols sing and dance live in a variety of flashy outfits. When idols perform live and promote their latest albums or activities, they don a multitude of different outfits that represent their own unique styles or symbolize a topic that they want to draw attention to personally and through their music. Only in the past year or so have I really appreciated the efforts that these idols and their stylists put in for their outfits.
The pictures I chose above are all from K-pop artist HyunA’s most recent music video, “I’m Not Cool”. These are just some of the unique outfits that she wore when filming the music video. HyunA is an idol that has been in the Korean music industry for over 10 years, and has often been criticized for not being as pretty or conventionally attractive as other popular female idols. “I’m Not Cool” is the title track for her first album in 4 years, in which she wears outfits that showcase her unconventional style and represent the themes she talks about in her song. The first outfit above is the first outfit shown in the music video, thus setting the tone of the video. The second outfit is one that pops up multiple times in the video and the one featured on the album’s cover. It is glamorous and I think it shows off that she is confident in her looks. The third outfit only appears briefly in the music video, but appears when she talks about her head being filled with sparkly and spiky thoughts. The last outfit pictured above also appears for a short period, but shows HyunA with a snake on her head, as she talks about being as intense as a snake.
These outfits were just some of my favorite outfits from HyunA’s music video. I believe they all showcased how HyunA is confident in her own body. Even if many in the industry call her unconventional, she uses those sentiments to prove that her unconventional looks only make her more confident.
I am personally really interested in traditional Chinese clothing. Growing up I have often learned about the different Chinese dynasties and how each of them is similar but yet very different. One of their main differences is the style of clothing. Despite those differences, traditional Chinese clothing is often layered and includes patterns/designs that represent the Chinese culture. However, as years passed, people start to be less traditional in the way they dress, making these types of clothing (especially the handmade ones) harder and harder to find.
All three garments above are Han Fu. They all include Chinese patterns/symbols and includes multiple layers. The first dress is often worn to perform the traditional Chinese sleeve dance, the second one is for the traditional fan dance, and the last outfit is the most similar to what women in the Han dynasty would wear. These garments stand out to me because of the traditional elements in them and the history behind this type of clothing. I am also really interested in how the designers put each layer together to allow the dress to make different shapes/movements as the person wearing them dances.
One garment I really love is the “wet dress” Kim Kardashian wore to the 2019 Met Gala. The dress was designed by French fashion designer Thierry Mugler who came out of a 20-year retirement to create the piece. The dress is made out of latex and clear beads, and took eight months to create.
I love this piece because every aspect of the designed works together perfectly to communicate the central concept: stepping out of the ocean dripping wet. I find it fantastic how the designer used latex to simulate the look of wet cloth. The bunching of the material, the sequins, and of course the hanging beads all come together to communicate wetness without any water at all. This piece inspires me to think about how materials can be used in different ways in order to subvert our expectations of the material and even create illusions.
Although each of these examples above may be completely different from each other, I believe they highlight my diverse interests in garments and meaning making. As I personally draw inspiration from organic materials such as flowers and create pieces that are very much on the haute couture, can’t-wear-to-anything-at-all, type of pieces, I look towards the work of Giambattista Valli. This Italian designer has mad massive dresses with endless layers of tulle that are mesmerizing. I like the feeling of being mesmerized by a gown because I understand the craftsmanship that goes into making it. Furthermore, I enjoy garments that push the idea of even what a garment is, adding sculpture to it. Yes, this may be costuming when we look at the Puerto Rico gown by Joshuan Aponte, but, he has done drag gowns that involve these sculptural elements and even movement. See Miss Puerto Rico gown. The elements of big, bright, and loud are very inspiring to me because I think it shows personality.
Lastly, I am inspired by those who break gender “norms” and may dress however they please. I often am discouraged by the fashion industry for being very exclusive to a select body type, ability, and any type of diversity is lacking. I appreciate the tuxedo gown worn by Billy Porter as it is a gorgeous representation of how garments have no need being gendered and exclusive. So I have a large interest and am deeply inspired by garments that embody diversity and are made for the wearer to express who they are. I truly believe garments are a form of self expression and shouldn’t be a part of the binary norms of our society.