Melting Crayon Between Cling Film

I first discovered this technique when I visited the Embroiders Guild Fair in North Wales. I loved the effect that it creates and the way that each piece is unique.

To do this technique you will need: 

- Crayons

- Cling Film

- Greaseproof paper

- Iron

- Scissors

Step 1:

Get 2 pieces of greaseproof paper (enough to cover the cling film) and place to one side. 

Step 2:

Cut 2 pieces of cling film to the size you would like for the sample.

Step 3:

Cut small pieces of crayon onto the one of the pieces of cling film using the scissors. Use as many colours as you like. 

Step 4:

Once you have done adding the crayon lay the other piece of cling film on top. Then place the design between the two sheets of greaseproof paper and place onto the ironing board. 

Step 5: 

You can then iron over the greaseproof paper in till the crayon melts. Once you are satisfied that the crayon has melts, leave to one side to cool down. 

Neeta Lulla

Neeta Lulla is one of India's most successful costume designers, couturiers and fashion stylists. She is amongst the most awarded fashion designers in India having won the prestigious National Film Awards from the President of India on 4 occasions for Best Costume Design in a Film and numerous other Indian and international accolades for excellence in the field of fashion designing and styling.




Neeta's ensembles were a mix of Western and Indian designs in a deluge of colours- beige, silver, yellow, orange, green, pink, lilac and red. To give her dresses more impact she would then add a further spark with the use of embellishments and swarovski crystals. Here are a few images of her designs:

I will be using her designs to influence the way that I create and design for this next unit. I will be using bright colours and adding embellishments that give the design sparkle like the way that Neeta has created her designs.

Ankita Chaudary

Ankita Chaudary is a fashion designer based in India. She has formed a label called Saaj which highlights collections inspired by Indian culture. 

Ankita Chaudary quoted that "Colours are the route and the portrayal of happiness" believes Ankita therefore the essence of her label SAAJ is the playful, feminine and eclectic use of colours.  

 I believe that Ankita's work relates to my topic in many ways as I love the way that she designs for a target market of Indians, therefore her fashion pieces use the Indian cultural patterns and colours. I also love the way that her designs flow, this is evident in these pictures of her designs:

Tell me what you think about her designs in a comment below. Thank You.

Culture

My next unit is all about the influences of culture when designing fashion pieces. I have chosen to use the culture of India as it can lead me to a wide range of ideas when I come to design and create pieces for my unit.

At the moment I am thinking of looking at the henna tattoos that India often use as part of highlighting their culture. Indians often create fabulous designs for henna tattooing, which will allow me to explore different designs using flowers and paisley patterns for my samples. 

India also celebrate their culture at festivals such as the Holi festival. By looking at this festival I am able see that Indians like to use a lot of bright and exciting colours.

Holi Festival

I have also noticed that they also use a lot of colour in their fashion. This will allow me to create samples using the colours that features in the indian culture. 

Christian Siriano

Christian Siriano is known for whimsical and show-stopping design, from tailored day-to-day sportswear to fantasy evening gowns. Christian attended the Baltimore School for the Arts and studied fashion in London, where he interned with industry legends Vivienne Westwood and Alexander McQueen.
Oprah Winfrey calls Christian's designs "works of art". Tim Gunn calls him "a prodigy" and "the next great American fashion designer." His designs have garnered praise from top contemporary fashion icons.

I have chosen to look at Christian's work for inspiration on my initial designs for my final piece as he creates inspiring pieces using gorgeous material and fabrics that flow together beautifully. When I came across his work I loved the way that he has used ruffle and layering techniques. Here's a few pictures:

 I have taken inspiration from Christian to create 2 designs using my samples and the techniques that he uses, such as layering and ruffling effects. Here are my designs:

Initial Design 1: 

Initial Design 2:

My Sketchbook

For this project I had a choice of presenting my work in a sketchbook or on big sheets, but as I did my last project on big sheets I thought it was best that I tried a new way to present my work. I also thought that the project would suit my project as I could decorate the cover with ideas from my visual.

To start my sketchbook I began by learning how to create a scrapbook from scratch. I learnt this by watching a youtube video like this :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whOsRIm8QxE

I then decorated the cover the match my topic of leaves, roots and branches. Here's a picture of my cover so you can see how I have developed the sketchbook:

My scrapbook

I then began to develop my pages to look fabulous and beautiful for all of my work to be put into it. My teacher made a lovely comment that the background of my pages are beautiful and suit my samples brilliantly. 

Here are a few images of the pages inside my sketchbook: 

I then thought I would create little sketchbooks for print screen of my blog. I also created a mini booklet with a little sample of the techniques that I have learnt and used throughout the product: 

I hope you liked this blog, and please don't hesitate to comment.  

Development

To get the best grade I could achieve I developed my samples and ideas. My teacher advised me to create more samples using techniques that I have not tired, she also suggested that I was to experiment and create more abstract samples to make my work flow. I have also tried using different scales for my final piece.

Here are some pictures of my samples that I have experimented more and developed: 

 I believe that I have done well to develop my work for my final piece, and hope to get that A grade that I am desperate to get!