THESIS
STATEMENT
STATEMENT
Clarke’s BFA apparel collection began with a dissection of her own wardrobe: a couple drawers contained stained, threadbare and beloved hiking gear, while dresses and blouses in pristine condition hung in her closet. The dichotomy between the two became the inspiration for her senior thesis. This collection seeks to combine these two genres of clothing, abandoning the general sentiment that one needs proper, technical gear, in order to engage with the natural world. Through multiple visits to the RISD costume collection, she studied activewear pieces from the early 1900’s, and smocked childrens dresses, which provided valuable insight into the construction of these garments.
This collection is made completely out of second-hand material. The majority is made with natural fibers, sourced from charity shops, and cut-offs from a sheet factory in Massachusetts. These textiles have since been dyed with foraged willow, and rusted metal. Through this body of work Clarke challenges current value systems by highlighting the tension between garments that are clean and those that are dirty.
This collection is made completely out of second-hand material. The majority is made with natural fibers, sourced from charity shops, and cut-offs from a sheet factory in Massachusetts. These textiles have since been dyed with foraged willow, and rusted metal. Through this body of work Clarke challenges current value systems by highlighting the tension between garments that are clean and those that are dirty.
PROCESS
INSPIRATION
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RESEARCH
18th century men’s shirts, smocked girls’ dresses, contemporary hunting vests, stained clothing, repaired clothing, smocking seen in stores, french flea market blouses, interior finishes and seams, pocket constructions
FABRIC MANIPULATIONS
SKETCHBOOK
MODEL FITTINGS
NATURAL DYEING
Clarke wanted to introduce non-synthetic colors, as there is an immense amount of environmental destruction resulting from standard chemical dyeing practices. She delved into the world of natural dyeing using foraged willow, scraps of rusted metal, walnut hulls, and various wildflowers.
STUDIO
ILLUSTRATED LINE-UP
6 womenswear looks, 1 childrenswear look
SIX LOOK LINE-UP
SMOCKED BACKPACK TANK, DROP CROTCH LINEN PANT
REPURPOSED TENT MIDI DRESS
WOOL TWO PIECE SET, REVERSIBLE WRAP VEST AND ASYMMETRIC SHORT
BUNGEE CORD FORAGING DRESS
REPURPOSED TENT TANK, WAXED CANVAS COAT, WILLOW DYED SHORT
WINGED SMOCKED DRESS
CHILDRENS CREEK DRESS (SIZE 7)
LOOKBOOK
GARMENT RACK DESIGNED & CRAFTED BY THEODORE GOLSTEIN
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MODELS: XANDER JOHNSON, ELEANOR MCQUEEN, RALUCA VLAD, BLAIR WICK
PHOTOS: IZABELA CLARKE
MODELS: XANDER JOHNSON, ELEANOR MCQUEEN, RALUCA VLAD, BLAIR WICK
PHOTOS: IZABELA CLARKE