BRIEF
To design a Limited Edition collection of blouses and croptops using the upcycled patchwork surfaces. The blouses/ croptops would be one-of-a-kind and artistic in nature.
PRODUCTION PROCESS
The silhouette of a blouse/croptop made for an ideal end product for the patchwork surfaces due to its size and its versatile nature of being able to be styled with a saree, pants or denims. Since these were one of a kind, determining a standard size for the blouse was difficult. The size M was chosen while keeping some extra margin in the side seams and sleeves in case the garment needed grading up. Dotted buttons with dark gold metallic finish were chosen for the blouse/croptop to give an old-school vibe the the garment and complement the
patchwork technique.
Apart from choosing the placement after a surface was made, a different approach was also employed. The scraps were composed directly onto a blouse pattern to achieve an engineered look. This also reduced wastage and utilized the linear scraps that were available.
Images showing the constructed front, back and sleeves needed to make the garment
Carefully selecting and placing where to cut each garment part from the surface. this approach allowed more spontaneity.
THE COLLECTION
It was important to make sure that the range of blouses/croptops had a variety for the brand's audience. Some were for a younger audience, some for an older age group, and accordingly design decisions were taken about placement and how subtle or bold the garment would look. While some could be worn for daywear, some were also made for celebration and eventwear.
PHOTOSHOOT
Selected blouses/ croptops were paired with pants as well as sarees and photographed in the studio itself. Coordinating fabric beaded neckpieces were used as accessories and setting up the lighting and camera was an added learning.
One-of-a-kind products have a different charm to it. Each design is separate and irreplicable and based on the kind of patches that are available. So to what extent can this project be called a collection if each piece is a stand alone work of art? Should these blouses be featured in an art exhibition before selling? Can more crop tops be made with more scraps to maintain the visual look and feel? These were some questions which arise as a reflection.
