'Meraki' is the annual showcase of work done by the Fashion Design students of MIT Institute of Design. Model auditions and an identity launch precede the final event which is conducted on the institute campus. The show is conceptualised and executed by students, in collaboration with the Retail & Exhibition Design department (set design) and the Film and Video department (video documentation).
The space chosen was the ground floor foyer the academic block of the institute. Multiple entrances and a double heighted central space provided an opportunity to play around with the seating space and the runway. The challenge was to transform an academic space into one fit for a fashion show. Another requirement was to accommodate a live music performance into the space.
With so many vastly different colours, textures and inspirations, the set had to provide an appropriate backdrop for the garments without overpowering them. The idea that we decided to communicate was that of small individual elements coming together to form a larger picture, in line with the brand language for the year. This concept was translated into an installation on the corridor walls, on the pillars in the central foyer and the main backdrop wall.
Zoning:
Behind the scenes:
A turntable was incorporated in the foyer to have a smooth entry and exit for the singer, without having to move other elements of the set. The theme for Meraki was 'eclectic'. The collections drew inspiration from a variety of sources, ranging from traditional embroidery from Gujarat and Punjab to the legendary New York nightclub, Studio 54.
Cones of various sizes were made with paper. The colour scheme had to be in contrast to the black backdrop and jewel-toned paper but not so bright that it overpowered the garments. The varying sizes and the colour scheme (beiges and skin tones) were used to represent diversity and inclusivity. The edgy-ness of the mass of cones was balanced by the organic forms they were arranged in.
Six main pillars in the foyer connected the two storeys of the space. Covered with deep green paper, the pillars exaggerated the strong vertical character of the space. Square mirrors of gradually decreasing sizes were stuck in a manner that suggested they were fragments coming together to form splashes of light (reflected from the halogens installed). The motive was to create a play of light in the space to liven it up without reflecting the light directly in to the cameras or the audience’s eyes.
The runway extended to the corridors. To partly conceal the models in line, a curtain made out of white strips of fabric was put up. The aim was not to completely cover the models but to create a sense of curiosity in the audience. Two halogen lights were placed behind the curtain to have a silhouette of the model fall on the curtain for a dramatic entrance.
As the models walked along the corridor to reach the foyer, visual elements were added to the cloth covering the classroom walls. They provided a visual break in the flat cloth and initiated the main concept of the set.
Snippets from the event and what went into its making.
A big thank you to Mr. Sooraj Ravindran for the video editing, the Film and Video Department of MIT Institute of Design for the video documentation and all the volunteers!
Thank you!
