Statement

This conceptual piece is an appropriation of consumerist culture in western society, where excessive consumption has been part of our social upbringings since the early 18th century. As a consumer myself, i felt the need to use domestic objects found within a domestic setting to emulate the process of consuming and comment on our inherent needs buy in mass. The flowers are tactile, ephemeral and resonate beauty which are somewhat desirable traits of the objects and ‘necessities’ we purchase on a day to day basis.

Process

The Process

How to guide of making one hell of a skull cap…

Construction of the FLOWERS:

1. Using found or recycled paper, draw 3 circles using a protractor with diameters ranging from 6-18 cm. These circles should be used as templates in order to cut fabric for the flowers.
2. Once the templates have been cut, place one circle on fabric found within a domestic setting and duplicate this 6 times. (Cut in most economical way)
3. Using 1 of the 6 petals, fold fabric circle into quarters. Repeat this for every fabric circle, and pinch the corners of the 6 circles together.
4. Once pinched, hand thread or use industrial sewer to stitch together the circles.
5. After stitching the petals together, the flower will be complete.

* Repeat this process with either the doilies or fabric roughly 50-60 times in order to have a wide variety of flowers.

Cutting Flowers Out. 

Example of a Flower

1/3 of the total flowers used

 

Construction of SKULL CAP:

1. Pre arrange the flowers into a floral arrangement on to a Styrofoam mannequin head. This will reduce time in placement when sewing into the streaking cap.
2. Use rubber streaking cap as a base for the flowers to be sewn into.
3. With each flower, pin it firmly to the cap and tack at the pinched end of the flower. Repeat this until the cap is fully covered, leaving a 1inch circumference around the edge of the cap.

* Remember to copy the floral arrangement that is on the Styrofoam mannequin head.

Front

 

Construction of the VIEL:

1. Lay mosquito bed net on a large cutting table.
2. Once the net is flat, rule in pencil, at a width of 10cm, around the circumference of the rectangular fabric which netting is attached to.
3. Once the rectangle has been mapped out, use fabric scissors to cut the rectangle out.
4. There will now be a 10cm rectangular circumference remaining, with the netting attached to it.
5. Overlock raw edges of fabric.
6. Once overlocked, hem the 10cm fabric to look like binding. This should roughly be 3 to 4 cm in width.
7. Once the binding has been complete, measure the circumference of the streaking cap. (roughly 60cm)
8. Cut down veil to required length, including 2cm ease to either end for veil to lap over at the back of the skull cap.

Completing Skull Cap and Veil.

1. Place skull cap on the Styrofoam mannequin head.
2. When skull cap is secure, pin veil to the bottom of the cap. The veil should fit in the remaining 1 inch space around the circumference of the cap.
3. When pinned, hand sew the veil into place along the edge of the skull cap.*remember to have opening at back
4. Once complete, sew press stud at the opening of the cap (at rear) to create an overlap.
5. After hand sewing, pin and sew remaining flowers to the back of the skull cap and veil.

(At random)

1. Finally, go over cap, tying off any loose threads, secure the accessory to the mannequin and shape flowers to sit accordingly.

gREENdREAM – JOOST

The Greenhouse, by Joost, is an opportunistic temporary insertion into a gap in Federation Square, Melbourne.

It’s built entirely from recycled and recyclable materials. The exterior is dis-assembled shipping containers and packing crates, filled with straw bale and covered with plants. When I was there, the walls were embedded with strawberry plants and potatoes were planted on top (and used in the potato salad served below), amongst other things.

 

Greenhouse by Joost

 

 

This concept is truly brilliant. What better way to make a social commentary on sustainability, the environment and being friendly. It’s a self sustaining, fully recyclable, ‘pop-up’ event venue made entirely from detritus – rose up from a courtyard wedge of the Melbourne city’s cultural heart. The building is made from hay, lined in deconstructed shipping crates, furnished with fire hydrants and street signs and topped with a garden built from old bins…

http://www.greenhousebyjoost.com/

Pressed for time…

To be honest, the greatest thing about this project is that the topic at hand could be researched and researched for months more. I want to say, for the time that we have had, i think that i have made the most of the blog… But before i sign off on it, I have to add a few things that i found in Map – The Eco issue for August.

Lush – Lounge, family wheel barrow i think no, but Industrial Designer Deger Cengiz has reinvented the wheelbarrow to accommodate an adults urge to be wheeled around their backyard and to create an alternative green space. The Chaise lawn is a live peice of furniture, a mobile planted and human transporter in one. Adds necessary green to many outdoor living areas and parties. For those who feel creative, you can plant flowers, herbs, and other plants on your chaise lawn.

 

Voos Grass Lounge

Urban Tree Portraits

Emma Livingston – London based photographer, did a series called Urban Tree Portraits in Buenos Aires, positioning the tree as the main character in each photograph. She was intrigued by the tree’s place in the hierarchy of a modern city, and was startled by the size, build and posture/relationship between the tree and it’s surroundings. The parallels between the trees and humans also played a major role in the depiction of these tree vs. city scapes showing how they have been fated to grow or not, flourish or suffer, and ultimately die within an urban environment of concrete walls and pollution.

Emma Livingston - Urban Tree Portraits

Emma Livingston - Urban Tree Portraits

Check out:

tangledyarns.com.au

ecococoon.com.au

statesofnature.com

envirosax.com

theuniformproject.com

mothlove.com

goodconcepts.com.au

blissecowear.com

greenprecinct.com.au

childrenoftherevolution.com.au

HARRISON BROWN

 

“Just as we know rationally that the time will come when each of us as individuals will perish, so we know that our country, our culture and our species cannot exist for ever. Sometime there must be an end. ”

“The first and by far the most likely pattern is a return to agrarian existence. ”

Myself as a Practitioner

I want to make this fairly clear and concise, so i will answer the questions which were put forward to us during our week 4 class. Then at the end, give a brief summation about my design philosophy. 

WHAT DO YOU CARE ABOUT? 

What are the things that you care most about?  Why do you care about them?

- I care about my family, good friends, health, religion, being creative and being stimulated, wealth and the well being of myself and others. Mostly because these all contribute to the everyday life of me, and i either need them, want them or aspire to have them. 

What interests you most in/about the world?  Why?

- I am interested about the world full stop. How could you not be. It’s a fascinating thing/place to be interested in. It holds so many wonders, troubles and unknowns. 

What values will you never compromise on?

Honesty, trust and love. 

What do you like about fashion?  What don’t you like about fashion?

Fashion although i find it sometimes excessive is yet another avenue that you can consume yourself in. Whether it is the history, the people, the fabric, the models, the clothes themselves, the prints, the ads the design… I love it all… I find the industry very very competitive, it is a global market with an incredible amount of opportunity. We are now heading in another direction of making things that are sustainable… Who would of thought that we would be designing or making clothes not through lack of materials, but for want of reducing waste… Who could have said there would be those trying to consume less and slow the process down… Probably not many. What’s great is, even though we are constantly reinventing the wheel, there are still so many areas which are yet to be developed, new technologies yet to be invented. I love the fact that fashion is ongoing… everlasting and ever needed. 

 

ATTITUDES AND APPROACHES TO TASKS/DESIGN PROJECTS

What motivates you to work?  What do you work towards?  Why are you at uni?

- I am motivated to work when i have a goal insight. Without that final tick in the box, the place that i want to get to or can see, i can’t work productively. I am also motivated when there are great outcomes or incentives… Whether it be as little as someone congratulating you, or asking how you made something… Small amounts of gratification make it worthwhile. 

- I am at uni because i believe that in order to get to the places i want to see and work in, i need to study… You can’t get anything for free, and i want to extend my education… Broaden my horizons, learn from people who have industry knowledge, who can help me see my full potential… etc. 

When a task is set for you, how do you approach it?  Is this different to when you set a task for yourself?

- When something is set for me, i often become very lost and feel somewhat bombarded with the idea/task at hand. It often takes me a little while to settle with it, group and gather what i believe i need to do in order to finish it and then approach it as best as i can, to the best of my knowledge. Obviously depending on the depth of the task, the degree to which i involve myself often changes too. 

- Tasks I set for myself however, often have strict deadlines… I will often make lists in advance so that i can start cognitively thinking about what i have to do. It isn’t until the deadline approaches that i go back to the list to hurriedly get everything done. I never like to hang things in late though. Everything will always be finished when it’s due. Even if it is within seconds. 

What do you enjoy most – beginnings, middles or endings?  What do you like least? 

I like the process… They are all very different. The beginning can be so much fun, a whirlwind of surprises… It’s when you conceive something… that’s can be pretty cool. The middles, is probably what i hate the most. There is just always so much going on, something that takes more time than what you account for… Then you always come across problems that need to be quickly problem solved… The middles is all about time management and being set in your ways. It’s a good stage to be at, but i am always pushed for time.

THE ENDS can either be the greatest or the worst. Once completing something, you can be completely happy, or completely angry with the work you have done. I’m a bit of a fence sitter on that one. 

Do you like entertaining many options at once?  Do you like multi-tasking? 

- I’m a massive multi tasker and am always thinking of what else i can be doing at the same time. How i can reduce the work load into something, in order to get more out of the other. 

How open are you to change once a process has begun? 

Depending on what i am working on, will determine whether or not i’m open to change in a process… Generally i like to have the basics resovled, so that if change is necessary it can be done calculatedly. It can be changed without it changing the original option too much. Moderation i guess. 

How do you know when you are finished with making a thing? 

- I don’t think something is every completely finished, but as a practitioner you have to learn to say enough is enough. 

Is it important for you to follow through with all of your ideas? 

- Not necessarily, some ideas need to be explored in order to make them come to fruition, or to just get over it. 

How do you feel about your work once it is done? 

Again, depending on what i am working on, i can either get a sense of great satisfaction or disappointment. Sometimes my skills let my work down and therefor i can be unimpressed with what i have achieved. Rarely am i satisfied with what i have done. 

Do you like to be neat, streamlined and decisive, or do you like making things up as you go along?  How careful are you before you begin a thing?  Do you tend to plan/research before you work, or do you dive right in? 

-I guess i am a bit of a fence sitter. Everything in moderation… I need to wander to both sides of the brain to really find out what will work. However, i do tend to research/ask around and get a good idea of things before i start heading in one direction. I like to know allot about the subject or have a fair idea of things before i put my heart and soul into things. 

How do you feel about control/how do you feel about improvisation?

Both are great. You need both. 

How do you feel about decision-making? What helps you make decisions? 

I think some people are born decision makers. I don’t like to waft around too much, so i’m down with decisions. In terms of what helps me, it would be research, being certain about yourself and what you believe in, and how you think it can work.

What are your strengths and weaknesses in terms of design process?   

- Strengths: being creative or having a sense of creativity. being open to knew things and processes, techniques, influences etc. 

- Weaknesses: lack of skills so far in my course… I don’t have enough things refined yet to work everything to my ability. 

Do you like talking through ideas with others? 

- Putting things out in the air is an easy way to develop an idea… it can help you be more creative, think differently, etc.

Do you enjoy looking at other practitioners’ work

 I LOVE LOOKING AT OTHER PRACTITIONERS WORK… HOW COOL CAN THAT BE. WHO DOESN’T?????

What is your favourite part of fashion design process?

The ideation stage… Creating everything in minds eye… 

 Do you like open-ended briefs, or do you prefer set rules? 

Again, i will have to fence sit. I don’t believe things should be too open ended as sometimes your interpretation can be completely off course. I love for there to be requirements in some areas, as long as there is enough to get some direction.

 

MATERIALS/TOOLS

What materials do you enjoy working with most?  Why do you like working with these? 

I actually like structured materials. Prior to working with fabric, i did allot of installation work, with electrical products, woods, found objects, digital/print photography, video and the likes. I like large scale operations, with BIG things!!!! I love lighting, and i love what you can do with it. In terms of fabrics, i haven’t quite found out what i like working with the most. It’s very hard to know, when for a large part of my life, i haven’t consumed myself in fashion… I think if i understood fabric more i would have allot more fun working with it. 

What materials do you avoid?  Why? 

- i haven’t actually avoided much to be honest. It’s great learning how to sew with different fabrics. It’s a challenge and sometimes head doing, but it’s something you deal with, when you get to it. I don’t by all means think you should limit the design of something due to a fabric. And now having learnt how to deal with stretch… i’m pretty sure everything is pretty ok. 

Are there certain techniques that you find yourself returning to? 

- i don’t think i know enough to keep returning to them.. I do however seem to use allot of the bodice pattern. I don’t know why, but because i’ve nailed it, i think i like to use it. 

Are there certain tools/machines that you like to use? Why?

 Straight sewere = my friend… But they are all pretty cool once you know what they all do, and what can be done with them. 

PLACES/SPACES

Where do you like to work?  What are your ideal working conditions? 

I can pretty much work wherever there is space. I love the studios for it’s atmosphere but will try not to be there any longer than what i budget for. It is easy to get distracted, so the less time in there the better. I love floors… i mostly work from the floor… with lots of space and everything in my reach. nothing can fall off… it’s prime. 

Where do you find ideas? 

Not sure… I think they just come to me. Whether or not my subconscious has seen something that it really likes and then it goes about bringing it up in my design… i’m not sure. But there is so much out there to be inspired by… 

Are there different places for different stages of your design process?  Why is this so?

 - Depending on what equipment is needed… This would be the only time i use different places for my design process.

TIME

What time of day do you work best?

-  Again, bit of both. When the pressure is on… that is when i work best. 

How long do you like to spend on your work? 

- AS long as it takes… within the time frame given of course. 

What part of the process do you spend most time on? 

- every part is just as important… it’s divided…

Do you find yourself patient/impatient at certain points?

- Both… obviously there will always be those moments.  

How do you feel about deadlines?

It means it has to be finished. Whether you are working towards that finishing point, right up until it’s due… Once the deadline is up, it stop work time for me.

 

COLLABORATION

Do you like working around others?

- I don’t have any trouble with it… I just can’t stand when i don’t have my own space… 

Do you like working with others? 

- Of course… people are very important… interaction is amazing…

How do you feel about delegating tasks? 

Completely comfortable… if something is delegated fairly… i don’t see there being a problem

How do you feel about following other’s instructions? 

- As long as i can understand what i am being asked to do, then it isn’t a problem. I will however be somewhat annoyed if the instructions are vague, not necessary or within reason. 

What is more important to you – pleasing others or pleasing yourself with your work? 

- I have to please myself to a certain degree, but i rely on the opinion or reaction of others in order to appreciate my own work… However i have never felt so less amazing that i do in class… It’s hard to please yourself in the studio atmosphere. 

Are you self-motivated?

Very much so… i push and push and push myself… I want to achieve… so therefore i think i am self motivated. 

Overview…

Just to add, when it comes to my making process i have to see the concept in minds eye… I then re-work and resolve it until i think i can get the final visual. Once i do that, i go straight to paper to work everything out conceptually. After that, i work all the finer details out, source equipment/farbrics/products which will work with my concept and then go for gold…

links to things you may like.

Viola Eco-Graphic Design

http://www.violadesign.com.au/

Centre For Design

http://www.cfd.rmit.edu.au/

Instyle

- what a fresh website. Intuitive, gives allot of reasoning and solutions to the issue of green, eco, sustainability the environment and the likes! 

http://www.instyle.com.au/

Icebreaker

http://www.icebreaker.com/site/index.html

Organic Consumer Association

This is a really cool article: check it out

Keep and Share

http://www.keepandshare.co.uk/index.html

Max Lamb

Max Lamb - Pewter Stool 2006

Max Lamb - Poly Chair 2006

 

Pieke Bergman – Designing as a Process

 

Maarten Baas

 

Tom Scott

Tom Scott - F/W 2008

Tom Scott - F/W 08

what’s happening around the globe?

WHAT IS IT, AND WHAT DO THEY DO…

Here is what i got from their site.

“We are a not for profit business working in partnership to develop and improve waste management, recycling and green procurement in London.

London Remade Solutions is the environmental consultancy arm of the business. We specialise in:

• recycling schemes
• waste minimisation
• green purchasing
• monitoring and evaluation
• waste infrastructure and technology
• business support for the waste industry
• event strategy and management

We understand the challenges and complex nature of effective waste management. Since 2001, our team of waste specialists has provided support to thousands of organisations in the private, public and not for profit sectors.

We choose only to work with organisations that are serious about reducing their environmental impact. Any profit we make from London Remade Solutions is invested back into waste and recycling projects that benefit London.”

I find this company to be right on the mark, trying to make a difference for their city and those who live in it. It isn’t just stating a problem, but it is giving ways to solve the problem AT LARGE… and many companies at that… what better way to start making the wider community think about the environment and ways to sustain it.

This company has programmes, events, solutions business support, sponsorship and is also working on environmental policy… I think this is pretty forward of a non-proffit organisation.

What i want to take from this:

- the fact that this can be done on a global scale

- there is so much that is happening across the world

- it makes me wonder if Australia is really doing enough for the environment… are we really practising anything on the scale the rest of the world is doing….

- should Australian’s be doing more to benchmark the problem?

- why is it when you google search anything, it mostly comes up with European or American sites/orgs/designers…

Why are we not on the MAPPPPP?

DESIGN VICTORIA

What they have to say about eco-design:

Eco-design is a comprehensive on line resource that provides essential grounding in sustainable design principles for industrial, graphic, fashion and textile designers. Guidelines are provided on ways to integrate eco-principles into design without compromising product quality, functionality, reliability aesthetics, costs or marketability.

Developed by the Centre for Design at RMIT University, WSP Environmental and leading industry experts, What is Eco-design? provides designers with relevant, practical information and quick reference guides covering:

• the main environmental impact areas for the various design disciplines
• strategies to minimise their ecological footprint
• vodcasts from Design Victoria’s sell-out eco-design seminar and workshop series including introduction to eco-design; life cycle analysis and eco-labeling
• links to resources including leading industry experts and organisations to assist with advice and support.

It is important to emphasise that eco-design is not about dismissing the fundamental principles of design simply in favour of environmental gains. Positive environmental outcomes can be achieved during the design stage to ensure the best performance or result can be delivered over the long term without compromising form or function.

eco designers for 09

H&M

H&M’s spring summer collection this year has focused on a range purely devoted to organic cottons… Yes they are dyed with fabulous colours, but should design really have to suffer so much that you can’t make it interesting? What i would like to know is, did they use any particular dying practices with their range that were more sustainable and less harmful to the earth… Wonder if I could find this out… ANy way the range is bubbly, curvy, full of volume and hugs the body in ways that makes it playful, fun and most of all, attractive to buy. 

My biggest fear when i think of eco or sustainable clothing, is that it brings up connotations of subtlety and the idea that the design will be bland, colourless and somehow lesser to what else is on the market. But this collection surely makes me think differently. 

 

H&M Spring/Summer collection 09 - Organic Cotton

 

 

Joodito Clothing 

Is a clothing brand typically known for its playful patchwork styling. Most if not all garments are adorned with exposed zippers and big buttons, soft fabrics like cotton jersey, muted colors (with bright splashes) and a love for high collars. The designer herself is inspired by a mixture of things, from uniforms and geometric shapes, making the designs without the use of sketches or patterns. This makes her designs unique and unusual, catering for a green market who are also fashion conscious!!! 

Check it out. 

 

Joodito Clothing

 

Joodito Clothing

Loudermilk Organic Designs 

The eco-designer, Loudermilk’s designs accentuate the distinction between eco-fashion and organic fashion.  Eco-fashion supports environmental ideals of sustainability, organic sensitivities, and recycling, sometimes by turning refuse into apparel.

Most organic clothing designers and manufacturers seem to create beautiful organic clothing that is functional, healthy for all, and utilitarian – yoga and exercise clothing e.g pajamas and sleepwear. Furthermore the designs are generally casual wear.  Whereas, Loudermilk’s haute couture made from environmentally-loving textiles is not intended to be practical.  Like art, it develops a unique apparel that will appeal to any eye. 

Linda Loudermilk is an eco-warrior helping bring environmental awareness and sustainable style to the fashion savvy.

 

Linda Loudermilk

For more information check out:

http://organicclothing.blogs.com/my_weblog/2005/10/linda_loudermil.html

OR

http://organicclothing.blogs.com

This has everything you can imagine on it… and well written, so worth the read. 

Organic by JOHN PATTRICK 09

John Patrick’s Organic show was a myriad of quirks about it. Against one wall, a group of farmers from Patrick’s upstate hometown offered attendees local cheese samples, seed packets, and literature on the benefits of sustainable practices.

The designs were strong with a modern twenty-first-century woman feel about them. There were scuba-inspired body-con minis and a sleeveless trenchdress made from a recycled polyester treated to look like beaver fur. Best of all, it was all “100 Percent Organic.” The clothes are charming, and the focus remained centered on the company’s ethical practices: the use of sustainable materials and the team of cottage-industry workers Patrick employs in Peru. Designers frequently offer clothing with no real relevancy to the world we inhabit. It’s refreshing to see someone approach their work as part of a greater whole. 

 

John Patrick - ORGANIC - Fall 09

 

John Patrick - ORGANIC - Fall 09

Loudermilks Company Practice:

Luxury eco™ redefines sustainability with design that gives back to the earth. Linda Loudermilk clothing outfits the movement, providing the uniform for this new kind of earth warrior – an infusion of hope for an abused but resilient planet.

Food, shelter, clothing, water and energy—all of which our mother earth has provided us are no longer in endless supply. Energy is running out fast; water has become an issue of human rights. Imagine that.

Luxury eco™ is an emergency survival plan, fueled by design.

Our fabrics are made of sasawashi, bamboo, sea cell, soya and other exotic self-sustaining plants. Our belief is that the clothing and accessories we wear, the products we use and the vehicles we drive are a perfect conduit for the spirit of this complex, colourful and rockin’ earth:this is luxury eco™.

With the luxury eco™ marketplace— we aim to give eco glamour legs, a fabulous look and a slammin’ attitude that stops traffic and shouts the message: eco can be edgy, loud, fun, playful, feminine (or not) and hyper-cool. All created by meticulously researched sustainable business practices and fair labour standards.

We are one. Join the journey. Shake your foundation.                            

 

Linda Loudermilk -Autumn/Winter 2005

the places i’ve seen.

So for the past couple of weeks, i’ve been venturing to Reverse Garbage… Sometimes to find myself lucky with a bundle of goods, other times to leave almost empty handed… However, most importantly, it was here that i decided i would make an effort to keep my paper wastage to a low and buy tracing paper and other pieces of card to draw on that has obviously been in someone else’s hot little hands before… at a fraction of the price. Whether or not this is truly being sustainable, I’m not sure. However, the idea of buying from somewhere that is ethically bound to the notions of recycling and sustainability sits better with my conscience than say buying from another multinational corporation. Best of all, no receipts either… = LESS PAPER. 

Findings:

-Tracing paper

- Vinyl 

- some form of fabric that is heavy duty

- picture frame backing cardboard to draw my sketches on

- polo shirt collar trimmings 

http://www.reversegarbage.org.au/