cut and fold

I have begun to develop a technique by firstly cutting a circle and then cutting a straight line to the middle, when the two sides are folded away from each other and sewn down the circle stands up and give relief and structure to the surface of the cloth. This way of cutting and folding could be done on a much larger scale, the way the shapes give movement to the cloth could give an excellent structural quality to a fashion fabric. I then went on to make a larger area using this technique that I later crystallized in copper sulfate solution.  The contrast between soft and hard may become quite important to the qualities I create within my work. 

This method of layering separate components and circles has a familiarity to some surfaces used by Givenchy in their couture collection for fall 2011. Although the embroidery on these outfits is positioned in an ordered way, the surfaces are very built up and heavy reminding me of my theme of natural structures and rocky surfaces. The dress was in fact inspired by the “map” of an ostriches skin. Going some way to tie in with my theme of natural surface. 

Givenchy, Fall 2011 couture, http://www.style.com/fashionshows/complete/slideshow/F2011CTR-GIVENCHY/#1