To decorate is to make something more attractive by adding ornament, embellishment, adornment or even colour. Decoration is something intended to increase beauty or distinction within a specific object or space. The act of decorating is something that may involve the addition of flounces, frill, ribbon, trimming, bows, puffs and other forms of texture. In other words the process of attaching decoration can be described as 'garnishing,' especially in relation to fashion items thats base shape has already been established.
Fashion in the 18th Century in European and European-influenced countries reached heights of fantasy and abundant ornamentation, especially among the aristocracy of France. Specifically the Rococo period dating from 1715-1774, which was marked stylistically by the same convoluted detail and elaborate decoration, which characterized the Baroque period immediately preceding it. Rococo style was highly dominated by classical feminine taste and influences. This Fashion century proves as an ideal reference in my attempt to expose the subject matter of decoration. Producing such influential characters as Marie Antoinette, who in many ways has been inspiration for designers and artists in the creation of new and contemporary work for century's.
During my findings I stumbling across a book out of my collection named 'Style Deficit Disorder' which is devoted to Harajuku street fashion in Tokyo. It highlights the neighborhoods dizzy combination of street-level fashion, outre couture, and re-mixed, fashion-forward youth culture which has made it an international style capital. Within this the specific, but popular style of the Baby and Lolita movement was revealed to me as a significant influence in my approach to this decorative task. These styles were influenced by designer Isao Kaneko and his romantic Victorian-meets-Little house on the Prairie style outfits that could only be described as lovely, pink and ruffled. This clothing found a silhouette that was a playful and abundant contrast to the form-fitted, sleek aesthetic that was popular at the time. This particular Harajuku style is not afraid to deliver that over-the-top element that was required for this weeks design task, therefore stimulating me to resolve my toile with the same approach.
My decorated Nana is simple in terms of construction, but very laboring when it came to the creation and placement of the frills. The frilling is positioned in rows over the entire back pattern piece and create a bustle-like flounce of fabric.To highlight the use of multiple layering, I used a sheer nylon (fairy floss) net to generate a subtle variation in tone as well as incorporate a 'fresh' texture in the design. The choice to not go down the path of predictability and produce this garment using girly, feminine, powder pink fabric came from the theory to remain sophisticated and even mysterious through the use of a dark and moody fabric. The Nylon Lycra I used embraces a certain level of intensity which I wanted to achieve, not only through its high stretch qualities, but its lustrous and sleek surface, which reflects with every shift in movement. Experimenting with such high tenacity fabrications has allowed me to further explore the concept of the body conscious garment and its power to control and mold the body, especially being that the brief sits so intimately to the bodies figure, having a stronger influence. The combination of the front design lines and the thick off white elastic that frames the briefs outline engages a masculine side in the way that it evokes a traditional men's Y front underwear. This observation only came after the completion of the garment, as its symmetry and shape almost mocks or imitates the simplicity of conventional underwear with its excessive and impractical adornment.
(above images http://www.dirjournal.com/info/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/1.jpg, rubypr.com/.../2008/ 11/fruits-umbrella.jpg viewed 3/4/10)
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