Student Description

"My work is historically inspired by 1970s Womans Rights Movements and the resulting silhouettes and fashion trends that defined the 1970s as an era of radical female empowerment. I have created a two-piece garment consisting of high-waisted flared pants accompanied by a wrap, tie top with long, tiered, billowed sleeves. Contemporarily inspired by designer John Galliano and his use of newspaper print in his collections, a print containing 1970s feminist news articles, quotes and posters from Womans Rights rallies has been innovatively sublimation printed onto the white polyester fabric used in the top as well as the godet insert in the outer side seams of the black cotton drill pants. I innovatively modified the commercial pants pattern by creating my own godet from the same fabric and print used in the top to create the flare by inserting the godet in the lower, outer side seam of the pants. I have utilised silver motifs through my work not only to contrast the monochromatic colour palette, but because silver is seen as a symbol of femininity and illumination, therefore symbolising the female liberation sought for and subsequently gained throughout the 1970s. Silver piping has been creatively inserted in the outer side seams of the pants as well as the upper edge of the waistband of the top. Silver lustrous calligraphy embroidery of key words and phrases found in the newspaper print cascade down the pant legs, some of which are embellished with clear beads, vine stitched or back stitched. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed creating my Major Work, time restraints were definitely a challenge, but the project fuelled my love for fashion and design immensely. Seeing my newspaper print being brought to fruition as I sublimation printed my fabric was so rewarding and my most favourite part of the project. Not only did I learn the importance of time management in textiles production but also the integral role experimentation and modification plays in allowing your work to look and perform to the best of its ability."

Images of Work

"I have used a godet insert in my modification of the pants pattern to add the flare. It is made of the same fabric and print used in the top and unites the two garments as a set while functionally providing the bell-bottom 1970’s silhouette."

"I have used sublimation printing to transfer the print consisting of 1970’s feminist news articles onto the fabric used in my top as well as the godet insert in my pants. The sublimation printing not only helps convey my concept more clearly, but considering the current trend of newspaper print in pop-culture the print help contemporise the 70’s silhouettes."

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.