[ FASHION MEETS FINISH ]
IIDA NJ FASHION SHOW
spring 2014
type: fashion
medium: chair arm, fabric, and laminate chips
firm collaboration: sargenti architects
award: 2nd place – best construction
2nd place – best interpretation of theme
CONCEPT SKETCH
Tasked with creating a dress that embodies the idea of living art, the initial research into the design looked to painting styles of various art movements. As the eye moves from head to toe, the dress starts out at the neck and head piece with rigid geometric forms, translates to tight rosettes of fabric at the bodice and ends with flowing pleats of fabric that are asymmetrically draped.
The furniture company Steelcase was our material partner for this dress. 90% of the fabric and materials used for the garment were required to be supplied by the furniture vendor. As an opportunity to take everyday objects and create a dynamic runway look, a simple aluminum desk chair arm, upholstery fabric and laminated work surfaces were used to make the dress.
PROGRESS PHOTOS WITH CHAIR ARM
PROGRESS DETAIL PHOTO
PROGRESS DRESS PHOTO
The laminated work surface was smashed into pieces and fabric was adhered to one side to create a cohesive color. These pieces were then fastened to the aluminum desk chair arm with the handle exposed to create a piece of jewelry that the model could hold and gives a nod to the ordinary object that was re-purposed. On the back of the dress, desk chair wheels were split in half and used as decorative buttons to line the exposed back design. Each rosette at the bodice were individually folded and then sewn onto the dress starting with very tight shapes and grown in size to transform into the skirt. Sandals were created with the pink leather fabric as the ankle strap and smaller pieces of broken laminated to create the embellishment on top of the foot.
IIDA FASHION SHOW VIDEO
