This collection for women’s wear Spring/Summer 2011 is based upon military styling, creating designs that combine sheer feminine fabrics with heavier linens/wools, beading and embroidery techniques. The collection has been inspired by the 2010 Hand and Lock brief Light Rich, which has influenced the use of disintegration techniques within the designs and from this the visual comparison to camouflage. The imagery is inspired by military costume embroideries and floral/camouflage based visuals influenced by drawings and photos. Flock has been utilised in creating worn patterns along with various stitch techniques, including tapestry which when used with the embellisher machine creates a disintegrated look. A scattered, broken line of beads and sequins is used within some pieces to emphasise the worn style. A mixture of hand and machine couching inspired by military gold work and filling beads/ sequins, create heavier sections within delicate surfaces. Layering of sheer fabrics, such as organza and netting combined together create the effect of camouflage and hints at sections that have been aged by time. The colours mix light translucent flesh, violet and tangerine tones with richer iridescent raspberry pink, chocolate and chestnut hues which combined with khaki shades creates a diverse and sophisticated palette suitable for S/S. Sequins, beads and thread choice highlight metallic elements that add a richness to create exquisite surfaces.
