I N S P I R A T I O N  /  D E S I G N E R  I N D E X

/ B L E N D

/ From the toy/handbag exercise I want to further explore this notion of blending.

/ Hussein Chalayan in this Ambimorphous collection, showed a series of models wearing garments blending cultural costume with contemporary dress. As a whole, the collection showed the gradual morphing of the old an the new.

Clark, J. Golbin, P, Frankel, et. al, H,  Hussein Chalayan, Rizzoli International Publications, New York, 2011

/ M O D U L E

/ In contemporary fashion, mass production and use of assembly lines has made a huge impact on how garments are made and accessed by clientele. The idea of one-off copies and made-to-measure is deemed a luxurious concept; standardised garments in set sizes have become the norm. Items that are said to be standardised are copies of each other, which gave birth to the ‘module.’ According to dictionary.com, a module is:

‘A separable component, frequently one that is interchangeable with others, for assembly into units of differing size, complexity, or function.’

Q. If a module is a small part of the overall form, how can the modules be varied to enhance the overall complexity of the garment? Is there a rule that can be applied to the modules so that they effortlessly change?

/ The Carlton bakery, Baker D. Chirco, by March Studio, explores the idea of the module in strips to create an undulating surface.

/ A lot of the work by Iris Van Herpen uses a modular system. The above garment is comprised of a leaf-shaped strip which is repeated and layered through fanning and twisting around the body. 

http://www.somamagazine.com/iris-van-herpen-2/

/ S E Q U E N C E

/ I like patterns. In nature and technology. 

It is well known the Fibonacci sequence that is apparent in nature. 

Nature's sequence: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34...

/ Being interested in technology, I found a sequence that is used in technology. It is a more simple growth sequence compared to Fibonacci. It is simply the previous number doubled. 

Technology's sequence: 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64...

/ When you look around, it is used everywhere in technology. Thumb storage (2,4,8 Gigabytes), fast forward speeds (2X, 4X, 8X, 16X, 32X) iPhone storage. (8, 16, 32 Gigabytes)

http://mathyear2013.blogspot.com.au/2013/01/fibonacci-numbers-and-phi-golden-mean.html

Q. How can sequences be applied to the module to make texture, surface and form?

/ C O L L A P S I B L E

/ This skirt by Junya Watanabe for Comme Des Garcons, comprises a complex honeycomb structure. The skirt begins as a flat packed item, then ingeniously expands to a voluminous proportion.

Fukai, A. Vinken, B, Frankel, S & Kurino, H,  Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion, Merrell Publishers Ltd, London, 2010

/ These series of flat origami forms by Miyaki Design Studio magically transform from 2D to 3D.

Fukai, A. Vinken, B, Frankel, S & Kurino, H,  Future Beauty: 30 Years of Japanese Fashion, Merrell Publishers Ltd, London, 2010

/ I've always loved the sculptural quality of book folding. From a flat book, the folded  modules folded create fan-like sculpture. 

http://www.pandoras-craftbox.com/2011/07/book-folding-art.html

/ E R G O N O M I C

/ The architect and industrial designer Alvar Aalto was best known for his humanist approach to modern design. This chair designed in the 1930s illustrates his  approach to design was using curves as a functional purpose. He used curves at angles appropriate for being functional and aesthetically pleasing. 

'About Alvar Aalto,' http://www.aalto.com/about-alvar-aalto.html, 2012

Q. Should lines/curves on a garment be dictated by the body? Should form follow function? Or can garments disregards the body and assume whatever form it pleases?

/ S C A L E

/ Playing with scale. Japanese architects Torafu designed a picnic bench that scales up in size. On one end it is used as a table, on the other end, it is a shelter. Brilliant! Scale of an object dictates the interaction from the user.

www.torafu.com

Q. From surface decoration to structure, scaling motifs play with the same idea on a larger or smaller level. How can my twisted forms be decorative to structural?

/ S T R U C T U R E

Artist  Dani Marti, produces 'paintings' by weaving rope. The interlaced nature becomes both structure and aesthetic appearance. 

http://danimarti.com/painting/

/ Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava has a structurally engineering background. His building forms are structurally informed, so members of the building become both aesthetic and functional. The PATH Terminal in NYC is under construction.

http://www.calatrava.info/

/ Lastly, I'm interested in how form is produced, and the similarities and differences in the process from nature and the machine - computer generated. 

Neri Oxman: On Designing Form, http://vimeo.com/7806194, 2010

http://www.danielwidrig.com/

Q. How can I create a dichotomy between natural handcrafting with new digital technology?