About Me
Hi, I am Stella, a graduate BA in Fashion Design.
My main focus within design is to create garments which are a celebration of the diversity of the female form. Studying areas of the body women are taught to hide and translating them into beautifully crafted garments which incorporate complex pattern cutting and interesting forms of fabric manipulation.
This passion for fighting against the fashion industries unrealistic body standards has only amplified with my degree. Coming to the realisation that designing for different body types is an attainable goal and should be at the forefront of design.
INSPIRATION
This collection is about ones Relationship with Self.
This collection began with an inner battle I have had with my own body, and my desire to overcome this by channelling it into my work. Looking at bodily shape and the shadows it casts which influenced my design in terms of creative seams and strong cut-outs. I experimented with forms of restriction to explore the areas of the body I wish to highlight and hide. Also studying skin texture which led me to the use of hand smocking on a variety of fabrications to create an organic form of fabric manipulation.
I wanted to find inspiration from another source that wasn’t the body, to link it to external ideas of strength and power. Therefore, I researched female characters of strength within Greek mythology, such as Amazonian warriors and Grecian goddesses. This added an element of romanticism through elegant asymmetrical draping, whilst also conveying ideas of power and protection with an armour like aesthetic made with strong pattern cutting. I want the outcome of this collection to be sensual sexy and strong.
MY WORK
PORTFOLIOS
Imagery from final shoot
Close up shot of hand smocking on chiffon
Experimenting with contortion/restriction pieces
Design development - working on top of stand-work
Primary imagery of the body
Final shoot imagery with detailed shot
Studio imagery of final look 1
Final shoot imagery
Detailed shot of 'constriction' element on jacket
Final illustrated lineup
Concept portfolio page
Imagery from final shoot
imagery from final shoot - Smocking
DETAIL
The Boob Bag
I experimented in a more direct way with my body using body casting. Once my torso cast was made I played around with it, cutting it apart and putting it back together to create different sculptures. Once this shape was formed, I designed around it experimenting with different closures, fastenings and trims landing on a drawstring bag with a silver chain handle/shoulder strap. I also wanted to test different scales, this I achieved through 3D scanning (photogrammetry) and then 3D printing the sculpture. I think this could produce a fun and interesting bag range, including coin purse, clutches and shoulder bags.
“From earliest childhood she has been taught and persuaded to survey herself continually. “ Maggie Wykes - If looks could kill
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