Technical drawing and Illustrator exercise

In class one day during our garment drawing research lessons we were asked to technically record the shape and measurements of an old riding style jacket using graph paper. This was quite a challenging excercise for me as I am not the most acurite and technical of thinkers. Together in pairs we had to record the jacket exactly how it was onto graph paper; the outcome was very rewarding as we were pleased with our representation of the jacket. Then using Adobe Illustrator I scanned in the drawing and developed the drawing further on Illustrator, getting to grips with layers, drawing with a cursor and adding colour etc. I am quite pleased with my outcome.

I also experimented marring both the deconstructed jacket work and the accurate observation of the riding jacket. 

Hall of Mirrors - Jacket Deconstruction, placement

Some sketches illustrating ideas developed from the jacket deconstruction. I quite like this idea of a dropped-crotch, 'baby-grow' kind of feature.

Hall of Mirrors - Jacket Deconstruction, development

Here is some development of the ideas I started on the stand using the deconstructed pieces. Below, turning the piece upside down and mirroring it on itself to create new ideas for possible shape making silhouettes. I am intrigued by taking the front of the jacket and applying it in a way that questions proportion and structure.

Hall of Mirrors - Jacket Deconstruction, research

As part of our initial Hall of Mirrors research, Eleanor our tutor asked us to deconstruct a jacket to learn more about its construction. I was surprised at just how many layers I had to get through when taking the garment apart. The 80's tweed jacket had layer upon layer of tweed, lining, and in the shoulders 4 different materials creating structure. The jacket was made of a total of 22 pieces which we were then challenged to play about with to maximise 'Zero-waste' cutting. We were also asked to share our thoughts about the construction of the jacket as it was a group activity, we all learned something from the varied styles and cuts of jackets, made from very different materials.

Hall of Mirrors - Jacket Deconstruction, ideas & development

To further my work and research from the deconstructed jacket, I developed some stand-work ideas using the pieces of the jacket to create new garment ideas. The fact that the flat pieces were already cut to a specific pattern did not hinder the process; the limitations of pre-cut fabric stimulated more creative thinking on the stand. I enjoyed playing with proportions and placement. Some ideas I developed were a hooded jacket with a draped X on the back; I'm interested in further developing these ideas.

Hall of Mirrors - Garment drawing research

The bases of the Hall of Mirrors project is objective studies of selected garment pieces. The idea is to draw, and therefore gather as much information as we can about the garments to further inform our designs. I love drawing and therefore am enjoying the tranquillity of studying and recording these garments. The exercise is also helping to develop our drawing skills and perhaps inspire us for illustration techniques.

I am a little disappointed there at the lack of menswear pieces, but there is a pair of work breeches, which I’m quite interested in. 

Research - Belle Vue Archive

As the running theme of Unit X is funfairs Manchester School of Art organised talks and an archive visit about the old Belle-Vue Zoological Gardens.  The park was also an amusement park, exhibition hall complex and speedway stadium from the years 1836 – 1987. The park was a main point of tourism in the North for many years and families travelled from all over the country to spend their holidays and their much saved money for an excursion they would cherish for the whole year.

The lecture with Claire Turner first off gave us a great initial background to the world of Belle Vue; the amusement park, which was once “Bigger than Disneyland”, now remains as nothing but a race ground. The glitz and glamour attracting so many families for so many years faded and the fairground is long gone.

What interests me most about the Belle Vue grounds is the treatment of the animals within the zoological gardens. A dressed up monkey named ‘Consul’ was a five year old chimp, who came with smoking pipe, pin stripe suit and tricycle included; he was also partial to a glass of whiskey or 2. Although, Belle Vue’s treatement and upkeep of the animals was atrocious and animals never lasted much longer than a few months at a time. Consul soon died, and was secretly replaced with ‘Consul 2’, who eventually sparked curiosity when he was unable to ride a tricycle like his predecessor. All in all ‘Consul 2’ was not so family friendly, and was described as a “vicious little shit”.

We also had a valuable trip to the  Cheetham Library which opened up their Belle Vue archive for us to explore, which was filled with interesting photos, posters and pamphlets concerning the park. I was definitely drawn to the pictures of Consul in his little pin stripped suit. 

Research - Blackpool

Recently, to kickstart Unit X we visited the iconic Pleasure Beach on the Blackpool strand. I’ve never been to Blackpool so I was eager and excited to gather as much inspiration as possible. The impressive structures of the rollercoasters are the first thing you see, dominating the promenade inviting the giddy visitors in. Instantly I was more drawn to the drab and dreary than the gleaming and shiny ‘cheese’ of the beach. Old fun houses and rides with washed out colours and strange shapes interested me more, such as an old ghost house with woren paint and skulls.

After a tour of the park and a talk about the founder of the park William G.Bean we got a chance to explore the entire costume department of the park.