Exhibited at Chelsea College of Art and Design Graduate Showcase, June 2009
'Dual Function Sportswear'
The concept behind this project was to create prints for sportswear with the dual function of being worn as highly fashionable pieces as well. The four print collections are Jewel, Sequin, Gold Chain and Fur. Each collection has it’s own distinctive colour palette with a mixture of textured prints and real textures to give a Tromp L’oeil illusion effect.
There is a distinct reference to protection, the primary drive behind specialised sports clothing. Fur was one of the first materials to be used for protection against the cold and chain mail was used for battle armour. To contextualise the project in the present, I have chosen American football style shoulder pads, a modern vision of armour in sport.
Sportswear fabrics are predominantly synthetic, the production of which is highly damaging to the environment yet the presence of recycled polyester on the market is minimal. I have made a point of including recycled polyester in my work, despite the difficulties in sourcing the fabric. I have experimented with recycled and metallic polyesters, silk interlock and fabrics commonly used in sportswear.
The collection includes intense yet fun images aiming to capture the energy, movement and passion of sport as well as embracing my environmental responsibility as a designer.
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| 'Sequins' |
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| 'Chainmail' |
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| 'Fur' |
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| 'Fur' |
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| 'Fur' Close Up |
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