SS13 Menswear Research - Wovens

Madras, Prince of Wales, Layering and Simple Stripes . . .

Etro SS12

Etro SS12

Etro SS12

Etro SS12

McQueen SS12

(Etro - proving to be an irresistible source for exciting menswear colours and patterns)

Ties in Testing...

The above sample reminds me of the Madras Check and is un-intentionally reminiscent of the original Indian Textile inspiration piece! Although the patterns are busy and the colours very bold, I feel it does work successfully as a statement tie.

A few more images of some of my designs visualised as the final outcome. I placed the fabrics on a bias beneath a window template (drawn round an actual tie to get the correct proportions and shape). It's exciting to see my designs looking significantly like the end product that they are intended for.

Madras Checks

http://www.tablehunt.com/tablelinensprints.html

Madras Checks are another fabric that I had not heard of until I visited Drakes. These beautifully colourful fabrics pick up on smaller sections within my own woven samples, and it is interesting to see how I could perhaps choose an area from one of my samples and replicate it in a similar, geometric and colourful design to that of these Madras Checks.

As stated on the LA Times website (http://articles.latimes.com/2008/may/04/image/ig-essentials4) the Madras checks originate from Madras, in India (now called Chennai). The colours were dyed with vegetable dyes and the checked pattern drew upon Scottish tartan influences in the 1800's when Scottish regiments occupied the land.

The images remind me of my very first initial research for my project when I looked at indian textiles as initial fabric and colour inspirations:

http://www.vam.ac.uk/collections/asia/

The Inoue Brothers

http://www.theinouebrothers.net

The Inoue Brothers: 'One of a Kind Scarves'

Those who know me will know that I love to travel with a passion for the world, particularly after my travels in South America, which is why I was so happy when I came across this danish-japanese duo of designers who have taken a South-American influence in recent work! Bolivia being a key country to their inspiration (and also my favourite country that I visited over there), they are using alpaca yarns within their work to create these beautiful woven scarves amongst other garments. The scarves however caught my eye the most with the array of vibrant colours! You can see the rest of their collection on their website which I have posted above and their work with photographer Nicholas Taylor is also currently at Dover Street Market, London. I will definitely be paying a visit!! They also have a short article in the January 2010 edition of Wallpaper magazine.