Changes

sometimes, you just have to enjoy them

currently: modifying my design concept

As you may or may not know, this month is the end of my first year as a Fashion student. Happy? No doubt. Satisfied? Ehh... with this one, I can't really decide yet. Since the beginning of the course, I have been questioning the methods of teaching that I've been offered. This year (Year 0) was meant to develop ourselves with the basics in fashion design, and I understand that we were supposed to conduct our learning independently. But, does being independent mean being let go completely? I guess my main concern was, were we asked to be independent, or were we neglected? To be honest I really don't want to say anything, in order to avoid being too judgmental.

Let's just get down to the facts. Throughout this year, we have been given project after project after project. And it's almost always like this; we were gathered at the beginning of the project to be given the project brief, and discuss it together. Then, we're off to do our own things. Starting from research, analysis, and finally compiling the whole thing in the sketchbook. Yes, we did have one-on-one tutorials with the tutor once a week to show our progress and found out where we had to improve. And at the end, we had the presentation - followed by written feedback and the marks sometime after.

There was one project that was a bit different; where we had to actually make clothes (remember?). And for that project - maybe because it was practical - we did get step-by-step instructions and constant assistance from the tutor. Maybe, this was what I expected. I expected to receive this kind of teaching for everything, e.g. sketchbook, because as I recall, for the first portfolio project, I didn't even have a sketchbook - where we compile our research and ideas, and the development until we came up with the final result - because I didn't know that it's crucial for such projects (bear in mind that some of the first projects weren't "design projects"). Maybe, because I had no idea about this year when I started, I expected that they would actually teach us on how to make a good sketchbook. Instead, I learned it by myself, partly by watching my classmates' presentations.

Are you getting what I'm trying to say here? Are you still awake?

Well I guess to sum up everything, I would say that I have no idea if I have done my learning correctly this year. If this is what being independent is all about then I have to embrace it, make the most of it, like it or not. Because I felt that all I've done this year was trying to be a good student; trying to make the teachers proud by fulfilling all requirements and whatnot. But I guess it's a bit different in my department. What's more important is to be a good designer, express my ideas and thoughts however I wish, without limiting myself to any "academic criteria" - well, NOT entirely.

I admit that I have learned A LOT this year. Let's see what will happen next year.

Have a good summer everyone!

*I know I will, because I'm going home to J.A.K.A.R.T.A :)

Dubai International Airport

June 2010

Restraining The Free

June 2010//

With this holiday spirit, I would like to apologize for abandoning this blog. I know it has been too long since I "promised" to write about the last project I did for completing my first year in Uni.

The last project of the year consisted of two things, an A3 portfolio of our own works throughout the year that we have selected and compiled "professionally", and a design project that allowed us to decide our own area of interest.

Now, I don't want to bore you with details of what I had to do. I'll try to explain it as brief as possible:

I titled my project "Restraining the Free". Why? Because I did a study that involved a comparison between corsetry - which obviously is a restraining garment that is controversial especially in the old days - and drapery - which I considered the exact opposite of corsets. With thorough research and extensive reference, I wanted to prove the superficiality of corsets. Using this title, I did my research of the two things from different aspects; history, social, culture, etc. As the outcome, we had to create designs based on our research and experimentation.

At first I thought I would reject the whole idea of corsetry, but my research led me to accepting the concept; and that would contradict my initial goal. This was when I started to feel uncertain. I had a talk with my tutor before I went on with the research, I told him "I don't know where I should direct my research; I want to reject the concept of corsets but my research so far have pulled me in to accepting the idea", and he said "Just go on with your research for now, don't think about the final outcome, just take in everything that comes to you"... and so I did. I decided to combine corsetry and drapery, because I've found that both of them reflects beauty in their own unique ways (this was where the research went long).

Throughout the process, I was inspired by so many things! Sea creatures, Kebaya, architecture, and paintings were a few of them. This long process finally brought me to designs that incorporated corsets AND drapery, showing its gift of freedom to the human body as well as the beauty of control that the corsets conveyed through the 'perfect' bodily structure.

And, finally, the collection line up. I'm not very happy with them, though. Most of them didn't seem really connected to the researches I have done (images above). But at least I've realised that and learnt something.

That is what's count.... right?