And the rack begins to fill with a sea of calico...

E m p t y S p a c e = E m p t y M i n d

  
    Being tidy is just not my forte...

B a n d a g e G r a d a t i o n P r i n t

Since the finished width of my fabric (bandage) is 5cm i was finding it impossible to find some one who would print this gradation of colour on to it. Luckily i figured it out! I asked the guys at Sublitech to print  the design onto the paper in repeat and then I will have to cut it up and hand press and transfer the print at uni using the hand press. At least that way I can print both sides and make my folding techniques successful

F a b r i c M a n i p u l a t i o n

REVIEWED COLOUR INSPIRATION...

MORE FROM MY MENTOR... HERVE LEGER

Thankyou style.com

Drape and Toiles

I have been draping and toiling swimsuits out of fused ponte strips, which has not been ideal for perfect fitting as it stretches differently to the bandage and has poor memory. However the design ideas are well portrayed, and it was excellent practice for constructing each piece as they can get quite complex. My next toiles will have to be out of the real bandage strips...

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T e x t i l e P r i n t s

Here are a few images that may influence my textile prints...

K n i t t e d B a n d a g e

I have been searching everywhere to get strips of elastic knitted into a rib for my 'bandage swimwear'. Ideally the fibre content was to be 90% Rayon, 9 % Nylon and 1% Elastin. I managed to find a wonderful knit man and the fibres we chose to combine (due to availability) were a polyester elastin with a viscose yarn. The viscose provides a fleck that will shine in the light and absorb the dye differently to the polyester. After a few samples we settled on a on these 2 yarns with a 1x1 rib and 10 gauge. The final product has quite good memory retention after being stretched. Thus the bandage will be flattering to the female figure and help to support and wobbly bits! I can't wait to dye the strips!!!!

R e f i n e d C o l o u r P a l e t t e

I have narrowed my colour palette down to: aqua, guava, magenta purple, white and charcoal. These combinations will satisfy the bright 'pop' swimwear requires in the sunlight, whilst complementing the sleek and sexy cuts and styles...

Once again, this photo, does not 100% represent the colours the way they really are (in particular the guava and aqua)

D e s i g n i n g S w i m s u i t s

Here are a few pages out of my journal...

S o u r c i n g L e a t h e r s

I have visited New South Wales Leather and Birdsall Leather multiple times trying to find brightly coloured leathers and suedes, which ideal for a resort range. Unfortunately, most of the bright colours are predominately in pig skins which are too thin and stretch easily. I have however found some nice calf and cow split skins a. The calf split skins are lovely and soft! Additionally i have experimented with painting the leather with leather dyes. The colours below have not photographed to their true tone...

C o l o u r E x p l o r a t i o n

I used images from the 1960s surf era to inspire my colour palette...

Herve Leger Spring 2009

Can I have them all?

Herve Leger Swimwear

Absolutely stunning cut outs and contouring of the body!

L E R O Y G R A N N I S

Legendary surf culture photographer of the 60's and 70s....

Source: Book, Leroy Grannis Surf Photography of the 1960s and 70s, Jim Heinmann and Steve Barilotti

W i c k e d K n i t w e a r

I have been researching knitwear as an alternative swim fabric. This idea was inspired by the 1940s & 50s swimwear which was primarily knit fabrics, prior to the introduction of lycra...
Check out Mark Fast's amazing knit work SS10/11