Now it is week six of the project I have looked back on the tests and samples I have done and produced 6 initial ideas sketches. This was a really good way for me to transform all the ideas flowing round my head onto paper so I can reflect on them enabling me to develop them into my final design.  

Look One

The design below is a red, white and black colour palette as those are the colours commonly found at the circus and they work well together as they create a good contrast. It features a contrast vneck top and a striped waistband that is connected to a structured skirt. The structured skirt would be made up of applique triangle and circles onto white fabric that is supported by boning arranged in a way to represent a tent. There is also a statement structured bow, made from thick fabric and boning or cardboard, that is positioned on the back inspired by the novelty clown costumes. I like the simplicity in the colours of this design as it looks very contemporary and professional.

Look Two

The design above is a dress that heavily features prints inspired by the circus; it is loud and conflicting just like the circus. The top is split into three coloured triangles reflecting the triangles found in the shape of a circus tent, these would be different pieces of fabric sewn together with printed polka dots on top. The skirt would have netting underneath as the structural support to lift the skirt; it would have hand painted motifs that are found at the circus. I like elements on this design, such as the separated top, however I think it appears too safe and doesn’t show the full potential of the circus theme.

Look three

The design below features a yellow ruffled collar inspired by a clown costume, it would be made using a really thick fabric and draping techniques. From the collar a structural dress/top stands off the body like a tent, there would be boning and a hula hoop used to make the tent stand up. Then it would be decorated with applique or free stitched stars. I like this design because it included some really interesting techniques and clearly showcases my theme.

Look four

The design above is a dramatic evening gown look inspired by the circus, the harlequin print resembles the traditional costumes worn by acrobats in the circus and the chevron/zig zag print on the skirt is what is found decorating the inside of a circus tent. I won’t be doing this design as it focuses more on print making rather than creating a structural garment.

Look five

The design below features a corset top that would be constructed using covered boning, I would leave the boning exposed as it reflects the structural rods found inside the structure of the circus tent.  The skirt would be made using a heavy striped material that is pleated to add volume and a structural triangle neck piece would be part of the garment representing the tent décor. I really like this design because it merges the loud creative nature of the circus with a contemporary feel of fashion, while including structural  elements.

Look Six

The design above puts together a lot of techniques to create a circus inspired look, the neck line is made up of stripes of fabric resembling the structure of the tent and below that features a large bow. There is a pleated rainbow panel around the torso and a gathered skirt that flows from it. I don’t like this design as the different techniques don’t seem to be harmonising very well.

Design Development

From these six initial ideas I combined all the aspects of the individual looks into three development design ideas. From these I will reflect on them further and produce tests and samples to see what works best and what should and shouldn’t be included in my final design.

In all these designs I have looked at taking inspiration from Moschino’s 2019 collection and Dior’s 2019 collection, as they both referenced the circus as their theme.

I looked at how they used clashing prints and certain fabrics to bring a contemporary feel to the garments.

·         Sarah Mower, (jan 21 2019), Spring 2019 Couture Christian Dior, https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2019-couture/christian-dior (26.03.2109)

·         RACHEL MARLOWE, (9 June 2018) SPRING 2019 MENSWEAR + RESORT COLLECTION  Moschino, ·         https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2019-menswear/moschino  (04/03/2019)

Marcy Medina commented on the show for WWD, she said Jeremy Scott created a circus for his show creating a “tent of colourful thrills and frills!”. Scott himself said his role in fashion was “to bring the fun and how much more fun can you have than with the circus”. He showcased the theme through embellished mini dresses and strong man leotards, the show was a roaring success as everyone enjoyed the fun nature of the circus rather than the strict contemporary feel that the fashion world is sometimes like. 

Marcy Medina on June 9, 2018, https://wwd.com/runway/cruise-2019/los-angeles/moschino/review/ (28.04.2019)