It's not often I focus on my own designs on the blog, but, these are some images shot by Matt Ford of my final piece for my most recent textiles unit...
The collection is inspired by movement. I have taken the traditional craft of macramé and given it a modern twist by developing my own, original method using a thick metallic lacing cord as opposed to a thinner thread more commonly used for macramé. The macramé compliments the light flowing pieces in the collection, yet also contrasts. The wearer causes the movement of the somewhat constricting macramé, while the fluid fabric moves readily. The style of macramé I came up with enables the garment to stretch both horizontally and vertically, thus moving freely and changing shape to fit to the wearer. While the light flowing materials used alongside constantly represent movement.
The above piece from the collection I chose to manufacture includes a hand knotted, sleeveless, high necked macramé top with loose cords, a full circle skirt in light polyester fabric with covered buttons and a flesh tone leotard. The skirt is high waisted and floor length with extra fabric, to create as much natural movement as possible and has been roll hemmed by hand to give a finish that isn’t blunt, instead, soft and as though it could carry on. The excess macramé cord hangs loose over the skirt to create a texture in the 3D space and add a different level of movement.
As this project progressed and new season collections were launched, there were a number of macramé items, both dresses and tops seen in designer collections. Thorough research now leads me to believe that these pieces would be sold together, as couture.
