Textile Futures

This project was based on the concept of textile futures, and the idea of creating new innovative designs and ideas for future textiles. I started researching existing designers and designers who have used innovative techniques as well as textile design to create new ideas. I then came up with the concept of bubbles and the lighting effects from the colours and patterns. I researched deep into how bubbles are formed, where the colour comes from and how different patterns are formed. I was particualy inspired by how the colours on the bubbles are so bright even though the walls are transparent, i wanted to be able to replicate this idea of using light and how it can effect a print in the same way as how it forms colour in a bubble. I tried to take the patterns and shapes of bubbles and transfer this to paper in order to then develop this firther digitaly. By putting ink into the bubble solution it made it easier to get the detailed patterns which move around on the bubble onto paper, i then took these to photoshop and enhanced the beautiful bold colours. I used a foil called pearl which had a transparency effect and the image was very similar to the colour and lines on a bubble, this then gave a great connection between my prints and that of a bubble as lighting becomes as it important for my prints as it is for a bubble. another key concept i used in my prints was the idea of fabric munipulation and shape, i started drawing pictures of couture dresses with tonal pencils, the idea of this was to have a flat version of these folds and use as a print rather than the actual fabric. I was very pleased with the outcome of having the two concepts together as they are very disconnected as a print, but come together nicely in my designs.

Evidence of first hand research looking closely into bubbles, and recreating them over and over to look at lighting, reflections, colours e.t.c

Creating my own surface design of the bubble, recording the marks and bursting motions, using ink with the bubble solution, blowing the bubbles, and then placing the paper over the top to capture the image

Below are some of the prints from my final collection, they are digitaly printed with screen printing and foiling over the top.

This print was printed onto a metre piece of fabric, i also screen printed over the top with grey die and used these same prints to foil over in places.

This is a scan of my original print which was originaly digitaly printed, i have layered this with screen printing and then foiling. The foiling coveres the whole of this print so that when the fabric is munipulated or moved around you can really see the conncetion with the light.

This garment was later made into a top with pleating on the sides. It also have screen printing layered over the digital print using screens i created with other pattern designs. It isnt very clear in this photograph but there is foiling in places on the garment, this will be clear with lighting, i was very happy with how the garment was finished. I have also made a detachable broach made from polystyrene balles wraped in the same print. This garment is going to be shown in an exhibition in my university.

Below are a few of my fashion illustrations, i have used these to to show how the prints can be combined and put together as well as print placement on the body.