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Showing posts with label zandra rhodes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label zandra rhodes. Show all posts
Monday, 7 July 2014
Saturday, 7 July 2012
My Final Piece - Inspired by the Gypsy Culture/ Bohemianism
Apologies for my lack of posting recently, A-Levels have taken over my life these past few months and I needed some time to get over it all!
This is just a quick overview of my final A-Level piece for fashion design - the title I chose was "mobile" and so initially thought that the Gypsy culture would fit in nicely as it was a travelling community, and therefore mobile.
A piece by Ossie Clark, exhibited in the Museum of Bath
A piece of second hand research - my own sketch of a tunic by Zandra Rhodes (1982)
In order to make my first hand research, I visited the British museum and also found a Gypsy caravan (or a Vardo). Then, as pictured below, I gravitated towards designers from the 60s/70s for my second hand research, looking at pieces by Ossie Clark, Zandra Rhodes and Bill Gibb in particular.
From this research I began to create samples, initial, developed and a design final idea, and then went on to create my textile design, ready to be transferred onto a silk screen to be screen printed. This process was all to be done before the exam.
One of many experimental samples I did throughout the project
Rough sketches of my developed idea, the design on the right was to be
finished and adapted to create my final design
My design, on the silk screen
Finally, during the exam I created my ensemble of both a tunic and trousers (not pictured), the main details of which were of course the screen print design, as well as shearing.
The pattern of the tunic was adapted from a basic female block, as well as this, I added a collar. I drafted the high waisted trouser block myself, from the pattern book and then proceeded to adapt it to my design.
My final piece! - only the tunic is pictured here, because
I couldn't find anyone to model my trousers properly!
Wednesday, 21 March 2012
ZANDRA RHODES
FASHION PROFILE: ZANDRA RHODES
Zandra Rhodes, a fashion designer who was made famous in the 1970s, is still going strong working as a fashion and costume designer, testing the boundaries of conventional design.
Born: 19th September 1940
Famous for: Being an iconic fashion and textiles designer of the 1970s.
Style Characteristics: Garish prints, gypsy style/floaty dresses.
Early Life
Zandra, a child of the forties, grew up submerged in the fashion industry. Her mother, a fitter in a Paris Fashion house, began to teach Zandra the basic skills (vital to a new designer). In later years, Rhodes would go on to study at Medway College of Art (now, the University for the Creative Arts) and then the Royal College of Art. Zandra completed her education in London, her major area of study being printed textile design (a clear strength in her design work).
Fashion Career / Textile Design
Although Rhodes’ early designs were considered too outrageous and extrovert (fitting her creative personality quite well). Like most designers, she did not start the way she was to go on. Designing at a similar time to Betsey Johnson and Vivienne Westwood, female designers were beginning to challenge previous, conformist designs (the late 60s, early 70s were in the midst of a rebellion against clothing worn by their generations’ parents; proud veterans of the Second World War).
As she developed her style of design, Rhodes began to incorporate her printed textiles into collections. The use of her prints soon became an intrinsic part of the garments he created, now something which defines her as an artist and fashion designer.
Punk
Famously, Vivienne Westwood has taken full credit for the invention of punk (in terms of fashion design), however, adding to the movement was Zandra Rhodes, amongst others.
Although Rhodes’ designs arent classically punk (ripped/distressed fabrics with “DIY” style applique…), she challenges conformist fashion design by incorporating historical and cultural influences into her garments. Paired with her bold, extrovert prints, Zandra has created a very unique style favoured by the rich, famous and most importantly, fashionable. She is a designer who came to define a theatrical element of British style.
Zandra Rhodes’ designs clearly reflect her dramatic, glamorous and extrovert life, “she has stamped her identity on the international world of fashion” putting her bright pink hair, theatrical makeup and costume jewellery to good use.
Her nickname “Princess of Punk” was coined in 1977, determining her the daughter of Vivienne in terms of her diluted response to Westwood’s aggressive movement (in the form of a pink and black distressed jersey collection with beaded safety pins).
Famous Clients/Collaborations
Like many designers, Zandra Rhodes has exploited the success of her self named “brand”, and rightly so. Her collaborations expand far beyond the media of fashion, she created collections for MAC makeup, jewellery and has designed for a wide variety of famous clients, many of whom also favour her vintage pieces.
Costume Design
As a creator of garments with such a theatrical nature, Rhodes has transferred her skills as a fashion designer to the world of costume, allowing her creativity to flow more vibrantly as she designs for famous operas such as Mozart’s “The Magic Flute” and Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers”.
Zandra has also devoted much of her time to setting up the Fashion & Textile museum in London, and, as well as displaying other designers’ work, displays of garments and sketchbooks provide an insight into her own design process.
An example of a page in one of Zandra Rhodes' sketchbooks
Models' outfit sheet for a runway show
Zandra Rhodes designing for "The Magic Flute"
Zandra Rhodes designing for the "Pearl Fishers"
Please visit the Fashion & Textile Museum’s website for more information:
To read about a similar designer, Ossie Clark, here:
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