Due to a study trip to NYC on the first week of Unit X, I didn't meet my group until a week after everyone else, which I was worried would be detrimental to my own work and that of the collaboration but, full of ideas we each began generating work following similar themes and aesthetic. Due to the short nature of unit x, and the size of our group, I feel we are definitly taking on the most ambitious Unit X project, which I find both intimating and exhilarating. Already I have noticed the difference in pace of this project, and working alongside the structure that fashion students are familiar with, this project will be a valuable insight. Things I have began to consider with initial thoughts of Cuckoo are the obvious limitations we will face, I am aware that unlike our usual Textiles in Practice projects were the whole project is sample development, I will have limited time to develop and refine my samples it will then be used in a fashion/costume context.
 |
| generic garment draping |
Our first collaborative effort as a group was the draping of some generic garments; a dress, a lace blouse, a corset and a tan military jacket were compiled to generate interesting silhouettes for us to begin developing designs upon. Although this is totally different to my way of working within textiles, it was very informative in terms of shape and the particular contrast in textures has got me thinking about potential material qualities to explore.
 |
| Cuckoo research mood board. I particularly enjoy this method of processing and analysing interests of research. |
My initial research has been based in the realm of folklore and fairytale, Russian tradition, referencing the Russian heritage of the Cuckoo character. As a group we all love the idea of a Russian folk aesthetic. In response to this I have experimented with illustrative elements to convey a graphic narrative, although I intend to develop this further.
As a group, we feel my illustrative narratives could become a main element in the costume to be developed through embroidery and possibly print.
 |
| Cuckoo illustration, playing on my strong graphic hand developed in the Locations project. I am excited to develop this on the multi-head. |
 |
| Cuckoo muse development, using my illustrative style to further establish an over-arching aesthetic. |
