graphic divisions.

       

       

Was walking around my neighborhood on a cool afternoon with a cup of coffee in hand, I looked up to check for signs of rain or stormy clouds. No sign of a downpour, at least not within the next few hours. I started noticing the fire escapes and metal frames on all of the building. Whenever I glanced up, the intersection of these lines created very interesting negative shapes. They are such mundane aspects of everyday life and I have never even registered them as something interesting. But I think sometimes little things can become the greatest inspirations.

It occurred to me that this idea of using negative shapes is not original but can be interpreted in many ways. Going through the most recent NYFW collections, I noticed that this use of negative shapes as accents or key design details has become a major trend. I love the graphic effect of bold black lines against a white or bright fabric.

These pieces are the reinvention of city-structures at its best.

David Koma, Donna Karan, Libertine

RE-CREATE: MAGENTA & TANGERINE

This is the first week after New York Fashion Week and I have been indulging myself with the beautiful fashion week recaps from style.com. It's such a enjoyment just clicking through pages and pages of glamourous models in gorgeous clothes. I came across the latest collection by Ruffian and was instantly captured by the bright and vibrant hues of magenta and orange. I was truly inspired and decided to rummage through my own closet in the attempt to recreate this look. I never thought this color combination could work but it's actually quite a fun way to color block!

 Ruffian Spring/Summer 2012

Here is an outfit I wore this week, with a magent sheer blouse and a neon tangerine bodycon skirt. Pair this with some gold chunky heels and chains. 

 

I am loving these bright colors and although I am excited about fall and whipping out leather jackets and scarves, I am also reluctant to let the summer go.

ELIE SAAB - EXTRAORDINAIRE

My heart races every single time the name of this inspirational artistic genius is mentioned -- Elie Saab.

As a middle schooler, he was my beacon of light; watching his fashion shows on TV was my escape and it transported me to a world beyond textbooks, art class, and school dances, his clothes took me to a fantasy land.

Although I have taken French class in the past, I can barely remember the basics. Using the little knowledge that I have about the French language, I try my best to make out what the narrator is saying. I think I got the gist of this video, but the most important things can be summed up in these words:

EXtraordinaire
EXclusive
EXceptionelle
EXtreme
EXcentrique
EXcitante
EXemplaire 

harvest

Strolling through the Union Square farmer’s market on a Wednesday afternoon has become a weekly routine for me, afterall, I do live right next to it. Who can resist the ripe tomatoes and fresh fruits?

I never get tired of looking at the piles and boxes filled with freshly picked vegetables and fruits. They always gleam with the most vibrant shine. I do notice, however, that the colors are changing; everything seems to have that extra touch of crimson and amber. Autumn is here.

It is even more apparent that autumn is hastily approaching since Fashion Week is already here. You know it’s time to take out the fall coats and boots when the peaches are ripe and the pumpkin pies are everywhere.

welcome to psychedelia

The excitement of last weekend’s Electric Zoo still lingers in my thoughts, I often find myself replaying bits and pieces of the festivities whenever I see vibrant colors and neon lights.

I stumbled upon the works of Carnovsky while browsing the internet, and I was captivated instantly.

This particular series of works are titled ‘RGB’, it is described as “designs [that] create surfaces that mutate and interact with different chromatic stimulus.” These works were completed using a technique that overlaps three images, all in a different primary color. The result is both disorienting and breath-takingly beautiful. I have once again fallen into a state of trance, but this time instead of music, it is these amazing psychedelic works of art.

wild at heart.

After attending the Electric Zoo music festival this weekend, I started thinking about the saying “unleash your inner animal”.

I think by calling yourself or others an “animal”, we are justifying any crazy and out-of-the-norm behavior.

Isn’t that what fashion is all about -- being crazy?
Becoming something fantastical, something you are not, but want to be!

We are all animals at heart, doesn’t matter if you are a wild cheetah, baby lion, wise owl, or an energetic gazelle. There’s a wild side to everyone and it can become such a great inspiration for fashion design and styling. I’m not talking about your ordinary leopard and zebra prints, I’m thinking about out-of-this-world designs that transcend you into a fantasy land where anything is possible. I am just mesmorized by these hair hats by Japanese designer Nagi Noda.

A rhino-humanoid?

Yes, why not!?

EZOO: NOTHING BUT THE BEAT

After being in New York for more than a year, I've done pretty much all of the things that I really want to do. There was always one thing that I want to experience and now, finally, I have fulfilled that goal. This past weekend, I attended the Electric Zoo festival with a few friends and it was an absolutely amazing experience. 

The adventure took place on Randall's Island, which is a part of NYC that I have never been to before. Didnt even know it really existed....until last Saturday. 

I can hardly describe what it felt like to walk into that park and hear the music, it was euphoric. 

Simply euphoric.

World famous DJs, killer dance music, intense beats, and a racing pulse. What more can I ask for? 

 

 

The lights were simply amazing, it really completes the whole experience.

NYC, I think I am starting to fall in love with you.

-amy.c

RETROSPETIVE: [MOLLUSCA]

BODY AS THEATRE 

  

The brief of this project was to create a garment that can transform into a space that covers the body, or an environment to interact with the body.

This piece was inspired by Japanese origami as well as avant garde architecture by Acconci. I used a material that is rigid and modified its nature so that it becomes collapisable. The corset-like vest is the base structure in which the other component anchors onto. In order to make a collapsible space, I used the technique of folding and twisting the colored cardboard. The vest is also made out of the same cardboard material and is molded to my body by scoring panels of various sizes and curvatures.

The shells are worn as a hat and a backpiece which are both attached using string. When the components are taken off the body, they can be transformed into wave-like structures that stand on the ground. The forms overlap and lock into each other to create a cave-like space. The space is rather open since the basic concept of my body-space was freedom at the beach.

This piece is titled Mollusca because it was inspired by seashells and waves. This title also refers to the literal definition and appearance of mollusks since they carry their homes on their backs. The shapes that I used for my garment all mimic the look of mollusks, particularly their shells; even the bodice was inspired by clam shells.

This was a very challenging project for me because of the nature of cardboard, this material is rigid but becomes fragile quite easily. 

I came to really like the end product, especially when worn! 

Perhaps I was a mollusk in a previous lifetime....

-A

RETROSPECTIVE [SILK ROAD 2011]

I have a fascination with Islamic prints and Oriental patterns.

 

I know as a design student that I should branch out and explore different motifs and topics, but I cant help continuously jumping back into that never-ending pit filled with symmetrical shapes, bold lines and interlocking mosaics.

This fascination served as a perfect inspiration for my final project in 2D: Color, Pattern & Symmetry. I created my own version of a Islamic-inspired pattern and applied this to makeup packaging and design. My collection is titled Silk Road and is set for a summer 2011 release. I ordered cosmetics from an online company and re-packaged them using my own graphics.

The collection includes:
- Lipgloss: Marrakesh, Mecca
- Eyeliner: Azure
- Eyeshadow palette: Silk Road
- Face powder

Of course, no cosmetic collection can be complete without advertising images and campaign photos. I set up my own little photoshoot using a scarf my bed-side lamp. With the help of Photoshop, I created a series of ads that I personally think, reflects the mood of my collection perfectly.

I cannot express how much I enjoyed this project. Ever minute of cutting, pasting, and folding was pleasurable.

I think this fascination will only continue to grow. I'm still waiting for that moment when I become sick of mosaic tiles....

I'm waiting...


Still waiting......


-A

ready, set, go

Hi,
welcome to my blog.



The documentation of my progress as a fashion design student starts here.

-AC