exploring the orange

Immediately from my research, I am drawn to: the ORANGE.
...powdery orange dirt, red-orange brick, earthy orange tones mixed with vibrant splats of plum - never before have I been so excited about orange!

So I started painting and pasteling up some paper from my imagery, trying to mix the oranges.
and thinking back to how in Tanzania, I was fascinated by all the paper beads made and sold by the local people; I chopped up some of my painted paper into strips to make my own 'beads', as a way of exploring the range of orange colour...

Here's my box of research photos I took in Tanzania- lots of orange to explore here!

here's some of the paper bead necklaces I brought while in Tanzania. The local people make them using strips of magazines/newspapers/leaflets, cut into strips, carefully rolled, then varnished with PVA...I think this coating makes the colours so rich and beautiful (note to self- maybe explore varnishing/adding shine to surfaces as a development to this initial exploration sometime soon...!)

an example strip. I found that cutting the paper at different angles results in different shaped beads, altering the proportions of colour within the strip that are visible in the final bead- could be something to play around further with...

 on a roll here making my beads- literally

 some close ups of one type of my painted paper sheets. Here I am exploring the mottled, dusty, powdery texture of the orange earth. I began with a base of orange oil, then mixed up various shades of gouache to brush over the top, creating a resist against the original vibrant oil. These photos were taken when the paint was still wet, so it has a shine. It could be interesting to take other colours and see how they work against this orange now...

colour: TANZANIA

Here's some of my visual inspiration for our colour project, taken from my trip to Tanzania this summer.
I was so struck by the ground there- the vibrant oranges, the earthy browns, the plumy reds speckled with yellowing leaves...and the way these colours swirled together in the powdery dust...it was amazing. The colours were so earthy, yet so strong and rich. I can't wait to start exploring them during this project.

Feeling inspired!

Friday was the opening of the Chelsea degree show. However, as I was welcoming on the front gate as a student ambassador, I didn't actually get to look at any of the work then! Today I fixed that and went back for a good wonder round all the textiles exhibition. It's strange to think that in 2 years time, it will be some of my work showcased there! But anyway, enough of me. Here are some snaps of stuff I saw that got me excited and inspired. Pretty much everything was of an amazing standard though, and is so varied and different- get along yourself for a good nosey if you can!

this was a really fun, colourful collection. The pieces were unisex, as the project was all about equality and breaking down boundaries

Loving these slouchy trousers! 

 The lookbook seems like it was a real laugh to shoot- I love to see happy models!

Unfortunately the details haven't come out too great on this image, but this was some pretty stunning knitwear. With the florescent yarns running down the front, and the florescent pink stripes on the sleeves, it definitely caught my eye!

 Samples! Couldn't keep my hands off these. Different print techniques/finishes are a joy to look at and feel for the contrasting textures.

 digital print onto a shiny nylon. I need to test out this affect myself at some point!

I loved the concept of this project. Taking inspiration from their local allotment, the girl made garments/accessories for the different people she regularly saw their, and involved them in the design process, so each piece is highly personal- like this floral gardening jumpsuit!

 sample prints onto materials found in the allotment setting

 A bag for the beekeeper

Another amazing bit of knitting. I may be a print student myself, but this sure excites me!

These garments were beautifully printed- but it was the painted clothes rail that really made me smile..

Adriana Jaroslavsky's wonderfully bold dress collection

laser cut acrylic cuff tassels- YES PLEASE! (I'm always a fan of the playful approach)

 More tassel power

conceptual 'weave' pieces. It was great to see some 'weaving' that used laser cutting as a basis to create large, 3D pieces that can be assembled and reassembled. I can't remember this guys name, but he is heading off to do an MA at the Royal College next, so good luck to him!

strangely bizarre yet fascinating stitch pieces.

amazing textures on this dress

and finally- some pretty cool goggles/glasses!

A year's work!

Wow, how is the first year of my degree practically over already?! I haven't really been very active on my blog here since the first term, but I'd like to keep it up for next year....as a place to collect ideas, post progress and remind myself of sources of inspiration.

For now, here are some pictures summarising of my work this year...

Technical Project

Fashion Project

Installation Project

 My Winning T-shirt Design!

Wow, a long post with lots of pictures. Hooray to you if you have made it to the end, and I hope you've enjoyed this taster of my college work so far! :)