Textile Talents
91黑料不打烊’s Year 12 Textiles and Design students demonstrated their rigorous application of good design principles and practised techniques at their Showcase in the lead-up to the 2023 HSC.
Ranging from fashion-forward ensembles to costume designs, the Showcase was a celebration of textiles, design, and international, historical, and cultural influences.
Zoe created a stunning outfit entitled "Earthkind," featuring a highly embellished corset, top skirt and black overlay. Drawing inspiration from the iconic style of Jackie Kennedy and the striking dark designs of the Balenciaga 2020 show, Zoe's outfit is a testament to her creativity and technical prowess. With techniques including hand dyeing, embroidery, appliqués, and fabric manipulation, Zoe hopes her design conveys an environmental message about climate change and the threat fossil fuels pose to our natural world.
Grace's three-piece outfit, "Fleur," is a nod to Parisian elegance. This Chanel-inspired ensemble includes a tailored cropped jacket with matching shorts and a tulle overskirt. The back of the jacket, embroidered with scenes of traditional French cafés, is a focal point. The outfit also features floral details inspired by the flower fields of Provence and Normandy, with techniques such as laser appliqués, embroidery, ribbon weaving, and fringing.
Phoebe's "La Femme," a tailored blazer and suit pants combo, draws from the 1980’s power suits and the tailoring of the Jacquemus 2022 collection. The rise of feminism is a strong theme in Phoebe's design, which features laser cut designs and focal point appliqués with machine embroideries on the back of the jacket. Hand dyeing and fabric manipulation techniques add further interest to this powerful ensemble.
Magnolia's outfit, "Mariviglia," is a vibrant nod to the flamboyant designs of Gianni Versace for the Met Gala. The outfit's focal point is a beaded appliqué on the front and a voluminous collar feature, with a striking colour palette that includes golden contrasts.
Sienna's costume design, "Pavo Ocellus," reveals her interest in animation and the natural world. Designed for Kaeya, a character from the popular video game, Genshin Impact, the outfit features a top, tailored shorts, a corset belt, and a chiffon overlay with peacock feather motifs. Sienna also included an armband for additional characterisation. Her design integrates a range of creative techniques, including laser appliqués, beading, and embroidery.
Lucy's three-piece outfit, "Charmolipi," draws inspiration from the story of Icarus and contemporary designer, Zuhair Murad. It features Greek draping, tailored shorts, an embellished top with free-motion embroidered feathers, a draped back feature, and an overlay train. Lucy's design involves numerous creative techniques, including fabric manipulation, embroidery, beading, and block printing on ice-dyed fabric.
Sybella's two-piece outfit, “Sunce”, was a nod to contemporary designer, Liu Fang, and the picturesque Croatian landscape. The ensemble, comprising a tailored blazer and shorts, is a canvas of creative techniques. Trapunto hand embroidery and a hand-felted collar create a unique focal point on the jacket, beautifully complementing the fresh green and blue hues.
Hanako's three-piece outfit, “Parasol”, is a testament to the iconic Audrey Hepburn's costume in the musical, My Fair Lady, and the bubble dresses of the 1950s and 1980s. Drawing additional inspiration from the Harajuku-famous Lolita fashion, Hanako crafted a lace overlaid corset top, a leather cropped jacket, and a voluminous bubble skirt. Her intricate use of lace overlays, beading, and laser-cut appliqués add layers of texture, enhancing the visual appeal of the ensemble.
Lily's design was a tribute to the 9to5 movement and women's rights in the workplace. Titled “Meraki”, her two-piece outfit, inspired by 1970’s style and contemporary designer Miss Sohee, features bell-bottom flares, bold colour contrasts, and structured shoulders. The striking lines are the result of extensive pattern development, laser-cut appliqués, ice dyeing, pleating, and piping.
Sophie’s creation is a blend of influences from contemporary designer, Alexander McQueen's ocean-themed 2012 collection, the effects of climate change on the polar ice caps, and 17th-century European lacework. “Eira” comprises a low-cut blazer, a skirt with an overlay, and a leather corset-style belt. Techniques such as ice dyeing, beaded appliqués, fabric manipulation, and lace overlays were employed to bring her vision to life.
Penny's decorative triptych wall hanging, “Eco Arts”, is a poignant commentary on climate change and its implications on nature. Drawing inspiration from the Great Barrier Reef and textile artist, Susan Hotchkis, Penny's panels transitioned from a vibrant reef to a final panel reflecting the degradation caused by climate change. Techniques such as ice dyeing, free motion embroidery, couching, beading, and hand felting were used to create this impactful piece.
Sofia's two-piece outfit is a juxtaposition of a structured denim corset and an organic flowing skirt made up of chiffon strips. Inspired by Japanese fashion designer, Yohji Yamamoto's 2022 collection and the artistic structured designs of Dutch designers, Viktor & Rolf. Sofia called it “Zillah” and used a design that embraced the art of deconstruction and repurposing materials, presenting a raw, imperfect interpretation of fashion.
Milla's “Svelte” is a standout, a vibrant two-piece outfit that is a nod to the power dressing of the 1980s, with a modern twist. Drawing inspiration from Alexander McQueen's “Golden Fleece” collection, Milla integrated mythology and abstract designs into her work. The Amazon rainforest's rich palette of colours served as a backdrop for her design, with the focal point being a beautifully crafted macaw parrot on the back of the jacket. Milla's design is a masterclass in the use of creative techniques, featuring laser cut appliqués, hand dyeing, embroidery, and beading.
Annelise's “Bella” is a remarkable two-piece design that merges contemporary fashion with historical influences. Drawing inspiration from French fashion house, Schiaparelli, and cultural icons, David Bowie and Madonna, Annelise's design is a unique blend of Victorian-era ballgowns and the Ziggy Stardust and Blond Ambition eras. The fitted satin halter-neck top features chiffon ruffles, smocking, and beading, while the wide-leg pants echo Bowie's distinctive style, complete with an embroidered and beaded waistband.
Sarah's “Lumen” is a testament to feminine elegance and innovation. Her three-piece outfit consists of a fitted bodice with an off-the-shoulder neckline and a flowing, highly embellished skirt overlay attached to a figure-hugging pencil skirt. The glamour of 1950’s eveningwear, contemporary designer, Iris van Herpen, and the pastel colours of the late 19th century impressionist art movement are all strong inspirations for Sarah's design. Her creative techniques include hand painting and dyeing of fabric, silk ribbon embroidery, beading, and fabric manipulation, which combine to create a striking aesthetic.
Jaeyeon's “Marjani” is a vibrant celebration of the natural environment. Her three-piece design features a figure-hugging mermaid-inspired skirt, a highly embellished corset top, and a sheer shrug jacket. Drawing inspiration from the colours of the Rainbow Reef, the mystery of mermaids, and Versace's 2021 collection, Jaeyeon's design is a bold exploration of the deep sea environment. Her design features an extensive range of creative techniques, including bold embroideries and beading, free motion embroidery, hand felting, and pattern manipulation.