I have chosen to design and construct a textile art garment that reflects the intricate detailing of Portuguese churches as well as the significance of Portuguese Azulejo tiles and how they reflect the connotations of the history, culture and religion of Portugal. My major textile project has highly embellished qualities of aesthetics and durability to best reflect the cathedrals and Azulejo tiles. The design inspiration for my MTP draws from high fashion aesthetics and details found in intricate detailed haute couture designs. A major source that has inspired me is the unique and creative fabric embellishment techniques seen in Guo Pei's unique couture collections as well as the fashion staple of Jean-Paul Gaulteir's structurally tailored and form-fitting garments. The most valuable or enjoyable experience was reconnecting with my heritage and culture as my major textiles project captures a deeper connection to my heritage and culture which I wanted to showcase. Living in Australia we are exposed to various multiculturalism and this presented an opportunity to display an iconic and scenic landmark situated in the heart of Portugal. Throughout the process of my major textiles project, I have learnt a variety of skills but especially earning how to be resilient and adaptable. This is evident in the many versions I drew up and experimented with until I came up with the final piece. Throughout each experimental phase I learnt new techniques such as fabric dyeing, embroidery and beading. When composing my final product, it consisted of a piece that couldn’t be constructed with a standardised pattern piece instruction. Through this challenge, I sought out to self-draft my own pattern pieces. With the assistance of a men’s suit jacket pattern piece, Cinderella costume pattern piece and a 90's apparel pattern piece, I drafted an asymmetrical suit jacket with a halter attachment top, and a dome-shaped skirt. I have featured many aesthetic aspects with my major textiles project through the use of fabric embellishment through the 'O Santuário de Santa Luzia, Viana do Castelo'' embellishment attachment as well as the distinctive trim which has been effectively highlighted by embellishment techniques of embroidery, beading, and sashiko embroidery to showcase the Azulejo Tiles. The functional aspects of my major textiles project is the use of an invisible zipper within the dome-shaped skirt as well as the hook and eyes features upon the side of the asymmetrical suit jacket.
