My next stop on my whirlwind tour of the DJCAD degree show was textiles. After seeing some photos on instagram and catching The Daydreamer's blog posts, I was very excited to see the work in real life. I always enjoy the different textile applications but fashion based design is always my favorite. For another year on the trot I was mostly drawn to printed fabrics sewn up into garment shapes and there were plenty of these on display. Here's a little look at my top picks.
Ryan Albert
Menswear is usually in the minority at these things so a strong mens collection always stands out. Ryan Albert's collection BRIK did just that. By mixing traditional screen printing techniques with modern laser cutting and digital printing methods, Ryan created a collection that seamlessly melds together old and new. The simple shirt shapes work as an excellent canvas for striking patterns and a bold color combination. The subtle triangle prints worked well but I especially loved the full on graphic print at the front of his fabric samples.
Lewis Scott
Lewis Scott's art prints and oversized tops caught my attention straight way with their loud colours and busy layouts. The cacophony of lines, shapes and imagery perfectly captured the hustle and bustle of city life. Inspired by the contrast between the city dwellers 9-5 and their after work exploits Lewis created two collections - Crumbled Greyscale Text and Constructed Clashing Living. My favorite piece had to be the mouth printed tshirt, with it's eye-catching design and the unexpected use of neoprine fabric.
Vaila Cameron
A more toned down collection that attracted me was Undiscovered Shetland by Vaila Cameron. More associated with chunky Fair-Isle knits, Valia's collection takes a softer look at Shetland through the medium of textile. She captures the essence of the place through colours and patterns inspired by the landscape. The threaded details added life to the surface of the pieces and made each piece unique. I loved the moody color palette and delicate fabric choice.
Emma McCluskey
A non fashion approach that appealed to me was that of Emma McCluskey. Her illustrative prints were applied to wall paper and home furnishings to create some seriously beautiful interior touches. Inspired by visits to botanic gardens Emma uses Photoshop to transform her sketches into patterns. I loved the layered prints and color combinations and would happily have all of this decorating my home. Preferably all in the one room, for a full on floral party.
Shauna McGregor
Shauna McGregor's collection mixed cubist art with streetwear to create a super strong aesthetic. The focus of Shauna's work is on creating a sense of individuality and her prints are inspired by abstract portraits. The quick brush strokes create vibrant patterns that are full of life. The strong color combinations give a sense of modern street style, crossed with 80's cartoons and a touch of African tribal influences. This all makes for one playful selection of scarves and garments which I loved.
Caitlin Miller
If I had to pick one textile favorite from this year it would have to be Caitlin Miller's printed designs. The final garments are extremely impressive and the prints draw the eye in and continually surprise with their odd and intriguing details. The collage effect features a mix of pattern, drawn elements and photos all inspired by the flora and fauna hidden in Scotland's seas. Caitlin draws on these hidden beauties to highlight the importance of preserving unique marine environments and the effects that humans can have on such places. The result is weird and surreal and I love it! And I really want that kimono!
There was some really strong textile work on display this year and you can check out the full list of Textile Design students here.