Deconstruction and Construction/ The Context + Investigation Bridge
This section focuses on building skills in developing observations and ideas into contextualizedconcepts and questions. Through in-class, faculty-led exercises around an archival source, students are introduced to a range of studio-based research methods and strategies.
Studio Project: Collaborative Deconstructed/ Upcycled Look.
Seminar Project: Fashion Review of Upcycled Garments.
Examples COMME des GARÇONS
Step One: The Shirt Deconstruction and Diagraming Exercise
- Collect an old shirt. Cut and pull apart the shirt into flat pieces along the seams. Or layout and trace the pieces onto your pattern paper.
- Note how the seams were put together. What was folded? What type of stitch was used? Was top stitching used? Was this sewn by hand or machine?
- Based on your close observation of the shirt, what do you think was sewn first? What was sewn next? What was last? Outline the procedure.
- Use your actual shirt pieces and your notes to make “how to” instructions for making the shirt. You will include written steps for the sewing procedure and diagrams of the pattern piece shapes.
- You may make your diagram digitally and print large. You may work by hand. You may include drawings of the finished shirt to spice it up.
- The work should be large enough to read clearly (18 x 24 or 24 x 36 in).
- You may choose to use actual measurements, or you may draw the shapes so they look in proportion.
Below is an example. You may go digital or make a hand drawn diagram.
Step Two: Materials Collection
- Make partner teams for Deconstructed/ Upcycled Look.
- Collect 5-10 garments of clothing each from friends and your closet.
- You must be willing to use these as materials. You may not buy items.
- Identify an approach for materials collection that will result in a cohesive idea. For example collect all denim, all floral, all sports wear or all blue materials.
Step Three: Research the key terms “up-cycled fashion” and “deconstructivism fashion”.
- Post three inspirational examples of each. Make sure to credit the designers!
- In 1 – 2 paragraphs compare and contrast “up-cycled fashion” and “deconstructivism fashion”. How are they similar? How are they different? What do you find most interesting?
Step Four: New Construction with Partner
- Working with your partner reflect on the key questions from this unit:
How is meaning constructed through wearing?
How does clothing relate to construction of identity and society?
How is an actual item of clothing constructed?
What can be learned about construction through deconstruction?
What new constructions come out of deconstruction?
- Examine the collected items of clothing. What ideas/ meaning is already present in the clothing?
- How will you deconstruct and reconstruct the garments to make new meaning?
- The final look will maintain elements of the original items, such as zippers or sleeves. But the effect of the overall look will result in new meaning.
- New seams may be hand or machine sewn or connected with alternative fasteners (safety pins, eyelets, rings). No glue.
- Items may be designed for a dress form or model.
Step Five: Bridge Exhibition
- Looks will be presented at a Studio-Seminar Bridge Exhibition on Friday, 2/26 at 12:10 pm.
- Anette and Alex’s two sections will come together to share and review each other’s looks.
- Looks must be ready for presentation at 12:10 pm sharp. Please use the morning to prepare looks for presentation.
- Looks may be displayed on a dress form or hanger- come prepared!
