Scarves from View magazine...

                                          Images from View Magazine, Spring 2009 Issue 85
             

I was having a look through an old copy of View magazine from Spring 2009, Issue 85 and came across some forecasts for scarves that season. I like the contrast of the delicate looking scarves being shot against an urban/city backdrop, (a theme I have not really explored which I could work on next term)  Even though they were from a couple of years ago they were still quite inspiring and pretty to look at.  Though also it’s funny just how often fashion goes around and comes around and certain styles and themes are recycled through the seasons.  I noticed how similar the abstract colours and the colourful florals looked similar to designers I have looked at such as Echo designs and Me and Kashmiere.

It has made me think about my Final Major Project for next term and possibly carrying on with designing scarves but with a different theme and ideas.  Also ideas on how I could improve from the final scarf I produced and generate further patterns and designs. I think it would be a good idea to pursue another scarf brief in order to better my printing skills and take more risks with pattern designing.  Another idea to take on board is the size and to probably go bigger with the fabric. Most importantly I think I should also produce a few designs on Photoshop or Illustrator as I did not do this with my Negotiated Brief. This would be very helpful in thinking about how to place certain images or colours or sizes before producing final designs. I’d like to be able to create symmetrical patterns on the computer as I think a mirrored effect would be quite stunning.  My computer skills also need a bit of improvement too so this would help me produce better computer designs!

Final Scarf Design

Finally completed final scarf design! After many decisions on what colours, print technique, type of fabric and dimensions to consider! My final design measures a square metre, (which I decided on from measuring some of my own scarves) is a discharge print, using dark pink and warm red and brown colours. I decided on creating a scarf which would also be warm and durable enough to wear in cold weather as well as just for aesthetic purposes, this is why in the end I decided not to continue to design a silk scarf as the fabric is quite delicate and fine. However I think it loses its exclusivity from using discharge print as opposed to silk screen printing.

I decided on a trailing and overlapping layout, as I like the way the roses appear to move and cross over creating more interlocking lines and shapes; this I feel works very well and is a good feature of the design.  When the scarf is worn and drapes around the neck, it also has a positive and trailing effect too.

Unfortunately when I was printing I used a bit too much paste which has left lines, although I like to think it could work as it is repeated throughout the design so could be part of the design?  Another problem with the print is the colours. Though I selected pink, red and brown they were a little too muddy and darker than I would have liked. When I was researching Liberty and Echo Designs they used sharp and bright colours which had a contemporary style, though I don’t think I mixed the dyes very well to create these bright, pop colours! 

Though after all of the testing and trialling of printing and designing patterns I’m pleased with the outcome. 

Portfolio Feedback - Shelia Heritage

Watercolour from sketchbook

Silk screen print

Design development board, heat press and silk prints

Mood board

For my second portfolio feedback visit I spoke to Shelia Heritage, a freelance wallpaper designer. Shelia keeps her work traditional, designing all of her wallpapers by hand using pencils and paints. I thought it would be very useful to get feedback from Shelia as I would really like to go freelance with my work.
We spoke firstly about my fabric prints, ranging from screen prints, discharge, silk screen printing and heat press; which she thought due to the bright colours that my style would be very much suited prints in fashion.  Also the subjects I used, florals, are always going to come in and out of fashion and interiors and that I had a good eye for selecting these.
Secondly we moved on to my presentation and how Shelia thought it looked. Shelia thought I had a good eye for composition and thought my mood boards and development boards were neatly presented; also that the way I had overlapped papers and drawings gave more depth and texture. However this could be improved by taking care of the papers and cards used to mount work, as some of them were a little creased and bent.
In terms of developing my work to a more professional standard Shelia recommended that I continue to keep up to date with current and future trends, as it is always important to be a bit ahead of what is going on in the design world.  Also to look more at the placement of a design and how it would fit in with the garment or interior, some of my designs are randomly scattered as opposed to sticking to an appropriate placement like half drop repeat or a border design.  Shelia mentioned that if I wanted to go freelance it is tricky and to bear in mind the client you are designing for, to keep designing and not to stick to the same style too much.

Trip to Hoopers...

I took a trip to Hoopers in Wilmslow, a lovely department store which sell luxury designer clothing/interiors and also some of the things from the High street. I felt I needed to have another look for myself at some scarves from the high end of the market and high street, to look at the types of fabrics used and pattern designs. Also I wanted to look at costs and how this might affect the type of fabrics I use for my final design and printing method, which would indicate whether it is a one off high end piece, or mass produced for a high street shop.

A brand of scarf I came across Echo, had some wonderful colourful, floral designs which I found really pretty. Their scarves ranged from rich silks to satins and cottons and were priced at about twenty pounds to fifty pounds. There was also a collection called Vintage which involved a range of patterns in repeat, ranging from a Herringbone design to a simple stripe design.

Me and Kashmiere, were a more expensive and luxurious brand of scarves; ranging from about ninety to one hundred and twenty pounds. Their designs really reflected the richness and high quality of the scarf, very subtle patterns and deep, rich colours.  I liked the deep and warm colours reds, browns,  oranges which I felt reflected the winter season.
After having a look at these two new designers I felt I had a clearer understanding of the type of scarf I might design, the colour palette and layout of the pattern.  Also how the selection of fabrics and design affect which market the scarf is designed for, i.e. high end market use high quality silks which are more pricey, high street  designers might choose more affordable synthetic fabrics.

                                                                       Echo Designs

   

                                                              Me and Kashmiere