CRITICAL ANALYSIS_ SUPPORT MODULE

CRITICAL APPRAISAL_ DEVELOPMENT OF FASHION CONSTRUCTION

During this module, I was able to successfully build on my already acquired skills from the previous year, and learn new skills to help me develop further as a designer. Through a series of teacher lead practical workshops, technical and creative designer research and design development, I was able to realise a style and fashion outcome, testing my boundaries and skills.

The first part of the module encouraged me to really visualise the construction and pattern cutting of the garment. For me, to visually be able to understand the garment in a flat pattern state enabled me to be able to then see it is a 3d garment, which was important when it came to designing the garment. The moving of the darts helped me discover techniques in which I could really test the boundaries of pattern cutting and create interesting garment shapes from just simply adding a style line. Creating patterns was very valuable and gained a massive understanding as how to successfully move one dart to another place.

I explored and completed each construction to the best of my ability, taking consideration into the execution and finish of the toile. These were written up and recored in my technical file, which was referred back to throughout the whole module, especially the development and design stage.

In conjunction with this, I supported the development of my skills with relevant research into collections, involving similar technical constructions. This contributed to my awareness of contemporary and historic garments, and influenced the development of my designs.  This independent research also gave me more confidence and ability to do things myself, push myself and strive for better.

My knowledge of technical construction allowed me to realise a series of creative outcomes. I found the developmental process really inspiring- cutting a block shape into a piece of paper and placing it on top of initials to create interesting style lines and garment shapes. Using typography and my previous research into structural garments as a starting point, I began to get an idea for seam and dart placements. As I usually struggle at the start of the design process, referring back to my technical file was a massive help. Using usual blocks, I was able to push design boundaries I perhaps wouldn't have felt comfortable doing without the skills I had learnt. From this, I refined my ideas and had an outcome of 4 garments, and based on my skills learnt in the studio module, I produced them as a series of technical flats on illustrator. I perhaps would have liked to have dedicated more time to designing my outcomes, I feel the collection didn't flow as well as I had hoped, and I would have liked to have introduced more skills from the previous year, such as zips and pockets, to give a more interesting outcome. 

Overall, I feel the outcome of my garment was successful. I feel it challenged the use of typography well, the finish and execution was to a high standard and the overall aesthetic was effective. The actual construction of the garment was learning curve, as I had to make some design decisions to make the garment functional- which were not intended in the original design. This quick thinking was new to me, I often get scared by the prospect of something not being right, so that was a big thing to overcome.

I feel I have really developed my practical skills, especially in comparison to the year before. I lead an evaluation of my finished toile, and analysed the good and bad aspects- fit, material choice, proportions, aesthetics, quality of finish.

I feel throughout the module I demonstrated the appropriate skills and working ethics, and completed the learning outcomes to a high standard. A successful module.