Stenciling Revelation

Whilst in the studio the other day I was able to spread out and fully utilise all of the space on the printing table- which was very enjoyable. Setting up a production line doing 3 patterns at once. I was doing the only the top half of my designs to practice and perfect my technique with screen printing. But was still feeling messy and long-winded with the way in which I

was producing my print designs.

(Image of one design printed without the brown ink- the dress shape and sections are not as sharp as I would like)

So I reflected back on my work experience in Milan when I was working with textile designers. I visited factories where I saw print work being produced on mass- I was trying to remember their styles and techniques for developing and layering screen prints. It was all computerized and done by machinery which would explain the perfection- however during my sleep that night it came to me that its solid templates instead of finicky bits of card that are masking taped together that would work.

This morning I spent a few hours creating solid templates- one for my turquoise colour, one for the green, one for the grey and one for the brown. These protect the dress shape and keeps the structure of the stencils solid.

Whilst trialing it this afternoon- the time to print was much quicker only taking me an hour to print one design. And it kept the whole process cleaner and lines crisper. With no residue touching the exterior white silk. I feel Ive found the technique and now I need to create these templates for all of my designs.

Im also starting to embellish on top of some to see how this looks- I hoping it will give them greater depth and texture- as right now Im feeling slightly bored of the pattern and colours.

(Stencils layered up, showing the new stenciling style)

Nktbe & Velvet

So tuesday and wednesday were spent in the cubiq office where I wrote an article called 'we own the night' which is all about how to dress and look a cut and class above the crowd during the christmas and new years parties- i also was a part of the meeting to plan the next 6 months of the magazine- and selected all of the fashion articles/ subject and titles for decembers issue. Im receiving very positive feedback and feel i may have found the area that i would like to go into after graduating- fashion editorials/ journalism.

Meticulous Stenciling

A page from my sketchbooks of some designs, I was working on 2nd one in from the left today.

I stenciled my design onto silk/cotton fabric. Its far from perfect- the stenciling screen printing technique needs to seriously mastered. These are the things I can work on to keep it looking flawless:

1. allow the paint to dry before applying my next layer.

2. using double sticky tape to ensure my blocks don't move at all when squigeying the paint through the screen.

3. Being obsessive and concentrating fully

4. Getting 2 people to hold the screen down instead of one as its very large.

5. Ensuring no paint touches the outer fabric

The pattern and use of colour however looks powerful and affective. Which is what i wanted. It almost looks futuristic and the colouring gives a bold modern look. The shaping is flattering to the body which is another ambition I had.

By being clean and meticulous (which is not on my nature) I will be able to achieve the desired flawless clean affect- which is necessary as its 2d dress design shaping on a rectangle fabric- so the purity has to be there. This will be challenge but a necessary one that i need to overcome and refine. In order to perfect my skills I will practice with the top half of the drsesses until its looking good enough to be completed for the final piece.

I was also not very happy with the texture of the ink on the fabric- it went crispy and hard due to to the malutex in the solution- i hoping with steaming and washing with fabric softener this will losen and become fluid silk again.

Writing

Wednesday was I wrote the winter review- its a seasonal leaflet with the magazine that advises on the shops, restaurants and activities for that season. I wrote up the reviews for the individual shops, restaurants and activities. I was also able to put my own recommendations on places that had not be mentioned before- which was nice to be trusted, and to have my onion valued.

Im developing my writing skills also which is convenient for me as its practice that can be applied to my dissertation.

photoshooting

On monday i was out and about in cambridge taking photos for the magazine- we had to find gift ideas for christmas, for men, women, children and babies. Then select and arrange the products to get a good picture. It was fun and exciting to photograph, see and chat to the boutiques in cambridge.

I had to learn quickly the type of products to select that would be of interest to the reader and then how to display effectively.

When returning to the studio i helped the photographer with previous photo-shoots from marrs leather and six whiting street. We needed to select imagery then edit/ photoshop them to publish their look books. The images that worked best were the plainer ones as they drew the eye to the clothing or bags. I'm also learning about effective page layout with clean, simple lines and imagery to keep the layout looking fresh and professional.

Beauty Stalker, Gargoyles & Skeletons.

I wrote my first article for Velvet Magazine, at cubiq today- 'Beauty Stalker' To be part of a big professional team is very exciting. Also to receive have positive feedback from the editor was a huge compliment. The magazine is edgy, young and ambitious, so its a very influential place to be- Next week I'll be on location doing photo shoots with tom.... very exciting.

Ive split my sketchbook into 3 main inspirational routes/ sections:

1. Skins and Skeletons

2. Gargoyles and Mythological Creatures

3. Crests and Gilded Frames

Reflecting on my work (yesterday, this morning and evening) I feel successful with the amount of progress made. Its developed from a sketch book of drawings into a fashion design process. I've taken my drawing as inspiration for making patterns and placements prints on dresses. I would like to make 4 fronts for each collection.

In the skeletons and skins section there are 3 very successful designs with a few that can be collaborated and tweaked. This collection focuses on symmetrical prints. I want to use discharge printing and photoshop/ digital printing to create my McQueen, Angelo and Piloto inspired prints. The rich colour palette of greens, aqua, greys and browns, is also inspired from McQueens S/S 10 Collection.

My next section is gargoyles and mythological creatures. This is focusing over sized, placement printing and symmetrical prints, with the possibility/ option to embellish sections. Gargoyles are protecting my garments in very aggressive poses. Kane and Sui have largely influenced my designs- varying from intense sharp imagery to cartoon/ colloquial looking designs. The colour palette is drawn from the stone carved gargoyles themselves; boasting a strong colour palette of greys, blacks and white.

I feel confident and excited to start producing these into finished, refined products.

I'm also excited to start discharge printing tomorrow.

Synopsis Discussions

I've been reflecting on the dissertation discussions yesterday, and feel i need to read more theoretical work, then analyse, then state my opinion. I also feel i need to concentrate more fully on the impact of fashion choice, and the way in which it affects promiscuous behaviour, whilst acknowledging also if it doesn't. Concentrating mainly on 21st Century, Ive researched historical references but feel I need to look at the present day more, as my title is 'Does fashion/ clothing affect promiscuous behaviour?' The current attitude among my generation is my main focus.

My next steps are to conduct my case study, where I'll ask how a range of clothing makes the wearer feel. Whilst photographing the individuals.

I was also advised to read Froid's serious of essays on sex as he will he give me a new insight.