BODY PART CONNECTIONS

For this class my partner and I had the task of restricting the body in some way by connecting one part of the body to another. We decided to focus on muscular extensions of strength from the ability of human stretch and the literally the stretch in the fabric, by attaching off areas of the hand connecting to the feet. Deciding to connect my head within the tubes was decision connected to the idea that all strength and force is derived from the power of the mind. 

The outcome lead parallels to my lose concept for the design study relating to(dance/tenacity of materials &body). I will continue to explore this concept and how it creates rhythm on the body with the fluid lines of the tubes extending/ draping to the connections. 
In the experiment we used scrap fabric with graphic lines on it-It  wasn't until the final outcome that it was realised that these `graphic' lines assisted in creating a sense of movement/ rhythm. I look forward to exploring this concept more.
 

(all images from Batsis i-phone)

Research & analysis of ideas so far for future desihn study.

RESEARCH & ANALYSIS OF IDEAS FOR DESIGN STUDY

-       I have decided to go back to the definition of stretch and what it now means to me in terms of my investigation processes throughout the generics.  I have realized I am curious about:

-       To extend- beyond the usual or proper limits ( play on proportions/silhouettes) - Straining

-       To extend- over a given period of time

-       To lengthen- widen or distend.

``To extend over a given period of time’’ I aim to challenge the definition and stretch the boundaries of the stretch materials in order to achieve an interesting process.  

 

The generic garment _process has feed me some interesting design processes I will continue to use this sort of documentation in my personal design study. I was fond of cut/copy/paste variation of the singlet. I researched 1930’s 1940’s sportswear/dance wear (reference: Movement &Modernity.E-journal) The article looked closely at the change of Body image thru the decade and how it was of the up most importance to train your physique as swimsuits, dance wear etc. was getting briefer. There were major aspects that I was really interested in from the article. 1. -  ` The notion of replication as a positive attitude was reinforced…suggesting it was desirable to be apart of this mirroring of uniform feminine ideal’ – I feel this `ideal’ has  not changed people continue to lose to express their individual identity in _the sportswear segment.

This is where my personal area of interest lies- to free individual personal style in the sportswear segment ( I am currently working on this in Professional practice with how everything looks the same and there is a market for innovative sportswear )  This symbolic concept lies in all fashion arenas assisting to express individual and collective identity having both a `social, pscyhologial, and physical ‘… impact on the wearer. I am intrigued by the psychological state a garments can have on the wearer and how the wearer feel they are perceived and are perceived from the external world. I want to analyse this within my body of work.

 

I hope to adapt generic sportswear items and use the generic looks of sportswear+ materials to create completely new sportswear items that are so often the mundane, typical/generic sport items.

 (above ballet images from American ballet.1930's.com)

2. `The leotard idea’ Ballet from the 30’s was HUGE, `variations were made based on every ballet dancers rehearsal costume’ (Harper's Bazaar_) Adapting stylistic features for purely integral decoration. I adapted the singlet into a new variation inspired by the leotard idea changing it to reflect a classic sport tank top with a racer back and finishes such as bold line work with binding and over stitch finishes to give off a sporty `feel’

The article lead me to look at corsets and form fitting lingerie as it stated `women unwilling to devote themselves to exercise regimes, alternatives such s corsets and shaping garments could be made) Women were encouraged to use both

 

-A fight against the natural and machine movement contradictory tenets of naturalism & control- --RESTRICTION Vs FREEDOM of movement----FREE FROM MATERIAL CONSTRAINTS??

 Restriction???

Freedom??

In contrast of looking at the form fitting for the generic legging I looked at the definition of stretch of `extending and enlarging proportions beyond the usual’ around the crutch area of the legging, resulting in a `baggy’ look. I will continue to look at the idea of juxtaposing the form fitting and the nature of the over-sized garments. This process is to see how the body can be perceived differently to the exterior and wearer and how over-sized garments can often encourage comfort/freedom to the wearer. I will continue to explore these possibilities with positioning geometric shapes that don’t necessarily lie within the natural contours.

The fig of the American football player is a great play on extending different regions of proportion and the distinctive and easily identifiable lines in his jersey. I will continue to look at materials used in sportswear like the drawstrings with my generic leggings with how it can feed thru the garment becoming a stylistic decorative feature as well as creating excessive volume  and research some other techniques and finishes used and typical fabrics used in sportswear mesh, zips ,pockets , fastenings.  

 

- A great quote of what I am look to juxtapose ` A well-controlled body is much more beautiful than a body with artificial support pushing it around. ‘