Student Description

"Garment for Glory is inspired by the majestic apparel imagined to be worn within the heavenly realm. My MTP wearable Textile Art is a full-length robe, constructed from a silk and metallic blend jacquard fabric, lined with a silk satin. The satin was naturally dyed using red cabbage with alum, creating a subtle shade of lilac blue with unique highlights of violet. I aimed to incorporate as many natural materials as possible for an environmentally friendly outcome. The Bishop styled sleeves are divided to provide shape. Their top seams are continuous handmade cotton cord loops. A highly embellished section - placed around the base of the robe and cuffs - consist of hand crocheted buttonhole rings, stitched to a calico base. Colourful beads and sequins are hand stitched between the rings. The centre of selected rings have been cut out to provide contrast. A fine natural cotton trim is used to edge the centre front opening and lower hem. A deep blue organza was used for the free motion embroidered neckline embellishments, for its colour and high lustre. These depicted natural leaf and floral shapes. Many artists and exhibitions contributed to the inspiration for the design and techniques, including Thomas Cooper Gotchs painting The child enthroned, Nick Caves exhibition UNTIL, the 2018 MET Gala theme, beading and contemporary designers; Galia Lavhavs couture evening coat Elenor in person, Zimmermanns spring 2018 Golden time collection and textile artist Jean Draper. I was pleased with the contrasting elements of using everyday items, inspired by Nick Caves work, such as cotton rope, kitchen twine and calico against the luxurious metallic jacquard, silk satin and glass beads. The learning process included trial and error to create features for my garment. Traditional hand techniques were used alongside more innovatively achieved features. I learnt that time management and passion were essential to complete this major textile project to reach its full potential of detail and exacting manufacturing. I enjoyed the freedom to design a garment which is innovative and unique to my personal creative process. Pattern making was one of my greatest challenges; to determine correct dimensions and shape of each pattern piece to give the desired finish. I valued and thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the major textile project process, from researching and curating the design, and critiquing colour combinations whilst sourcing natural fabrics with appropriate properties and characteristics suited to the garments function and aesthetics. "

Images of Work

"Red cabbage was used as a natural hand-dye of the silk satin lining. Alum assisted as a mordant to set the dye colour to the fabric. This process resulted in a subtle shade of lilac blue with unique highlights of violet."

"Buttonhole rings made of cotton kitchen twine share the trim with an array of colourful assorted beads. The buttonhole rings are crocheted by hand in four increments, randomly placed. The informal placement of an everyday material contrasts with the formality of the robe."

Select Student Folio Pages

The pages selected for each project reflect the individual students' interpretations of the syllabus guidelines for the MTP. Each student should develop their folio according to the guidelines, relating to their own individual project. This may result in a variety of presentation styles, numbers of sketches and/or experiments.