Movement Collection I

Movement Collection 2002-2004

This movement collection was part of my practice-led PhD which proposed alternative practices in a research and design context that explore the intersection of fashion, fine art and performance methodology and practice. The intention of the research was to provide new insights into the way fashion designers can work conceptually and how their work might be perceived differently, dependent on contexts of presentation.

The process of design developed within this research focuses on the body, movement and behaviour; through experimentation and testing it reaffirms the emphasis on the creative process allowing for consideration of context as fundamental to the communication of embodied concepts. The concept of movement was explored in depth through a combination of visual and practical research. Design intention was derived from a series of approximately sixty five body movements recorded on video. The movements, behaviours and actions included walking, jumping, punching, climbing up stairs, sitting/squatting, spinning, hip swivels, head movements and hand gestures.  Ideas and initial forms were then tested and developed in physical form on the body.

The three clothing case studies investigated whether it is possible for a designer to communicate messages through the clothed body to wearers and viewers and explored the way different viewers and wearers reacted to this network of communication. The garments were intended to encourage certain movements and behaviours as an intrinsic to their design. The design and process of testing investigated the experiential factors of fashion/ clothing and exposes how wearers experience and respond to clothing/ fashion in a variety of contexts.