I chose to research what buildings were constructed around the 1930's. The Chrysler building in New York felt relevant. Its glamourous silver structure well contrasts the browns and rust of the workers that made it. I love vintage photography of the constructers that worked on the building, and others like it. I intend to develop from the images I have found.
I am very pleased with my use of a deconstructed pleated skirt during a stand session this week. Looking at 1930's Cristobal Balenciaga couture, as well as the structure of the Chrysler building, I draped a neck piece and sketched a sleeve, the result of which, I feel, makes an interesting catalyst for design development. The draping references also, Steinbeck's Curley's wife and her dreams of Hollywood glamour.
Deconstructed denim feels hyper relevant to my concept and I intend to work with it further. My sketch work and collage of denim jeans forms initial ideas on colour and form that I deem exciting and therefore succesful.
Conscious to keep my project relevant and modern, I have researched into modern construction work, so as contrast the imagery of Dust bowl America I have collated. I have found that Brazil is leading the way globally in regards to woman in construction, procuring the breakdown of gender stereotypes and restricting barriers. The country employs over 5,000 female workers; their blue and yellow attire is inspiring to me.
With modern construction in mind I have chosen to pick an iconic brand, synonymous with construction, to elevate into high-fashion. 'CAT', famous namely for their sand coloured builder's boots, feels relevant. I intend to incorporate their logo into my work.
My research into 1930's workers and 'Of Mice and Men' demonstrates that many the poor, working man, would wear casual, brown coloured tailoring as well as the denim dungarees that might more immediately to mind. My decision to further deconstruct a casual blazer, inspired by this research was succesful as it effectively reimagined silhouettes and form.
I am pleased with my print design exploration of scaffolding and photography commissioned by the 'MTM Construction Group'. The resulting image feels extra successful as it relates, to me, to the 'strong and rocky Gabilan mountains' described in Steinbeck's 'Of Mice and Men'. A combination of this print with my elevation of the 'CAT' brand, deconstructed tailoring/ denim, and the introduction of a flattened yellow hard hat (combining the 21st century builder's attire with the 1930's labourer's flat cap) feels succesful and innovatory.
Accumulating my research, leads me to identify five key outcomes from my initial research;
- 1930's Old Hollywood Evening Wear (fluid draping)/ Curley's Wife's Dream
- Rough denim (1930's Workman/ characters in 'Of Mice and Men)
- Casual Tailoring (1930's Workman)
- Elevation of the 'CAT' brand
- Brazilian female construction workers
With the 1930's workman a key part of my exploration, I looked back at all my image research. The overriding image seems to be the workman's casual coat/ tailoring. I wish to combine this base with colour inspiration from modern female construction workers and draping inspired by Old Hollywood glamour. Design details can reference too characters from Steinbeck's novella such as 'red mules' or a 'Stetson hat'.
Working on the stand and body with paper is a highly effective method for research as well as design development. I have explored silhouette and cut via this method and believe my outcomes challenge normal styles and result in an innovative, unique look. I love the quick and prolific nature of the design method.
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