Zero-cut bustle skirt and upside-down-back-to-front top

The Zero-cut bustle skirt was made from three men’s shirts, and the Upside-down-back-to-front top was made from one shirt (all size S), as seen above.

For the skirt, the three men’s shirts were buttoned together and turned upside down, then pleated on to a thick ribbon waistband. The ruching was created by turning the sleeves inside the skirt and anchoring the shirt to the sleeves in random places with small bar tacks.

The final shirt was draped on the stand, upside-down and back-to-front. The top has very simple design detail: a slight tapering at the shoulders (with the excess fabric top-stitched down), two front waist darts and bias-bound armholes.

I think the cowl neckline of the top balances out very well against the bustle on the back of the skirt. I also like the contrast of these two garments; the top’s simplicity and minimal construction versus the multiple pleated and ruched layers of the skirt.

MA Final Project Exhibition – The Point, S Parade, Doncaster DN1 2DR (21 to 28 June 2017)

Doncaster College MA Final Show is up at The Point in Doncaster. Above is a selection of images from myself and the other MA students. The exhibition also features work from the final year Fine Art and Fashion degree students.

This exhibition is only on until the 28 June; you should go and see it!

Houndstooth Jigsaw Dress

This houndstooth jigsaw dress was made from an existing recycled size 20 pencil dress, (as seen in the photos above).

I unpicked all the seams on this dress and cut in to quite randomly to piece this jigsaw puzzle dress together. One thing I found when fitting this on my model was that I’d cut an arch in the front, but this made the dress too short (especially when sitting). To resolve this I added additional pieces to extend the front and side length.

The dress is made up of asymmetric panels (some pleated), a front bold zipper that is partially concealed by the fold over front panel (featuring vintage buttons).

This takes on the transformative aspects of the metamorphosis theme, combined with partially hidden layers.