Sarah Wilson

Concept
In design: innovations in materials and fabrication, art and architecture all inspire one another and will influence the next steps in the Future of Fashion. There has been a cross over in architecture and fashion where principles of construction have assisted designers to produce captivating 3D structures in fashion. Fashion and Architecture are two disciplines that aim to house the human form, they provide structures that shelter and manifest personal and socaial tastes. Designing around the body is comparable to the ‘space’ architects use to create new complex forms to construct our built environment. In this work, we explore the two design practices and investigate what technological transfer can be used from Architecture to Fashion. In particular, how the practice of digital design and 3D modelling in architecture could be utilised in fashion. The concept of ‘Reverse Pattern-Cutting’ is presented in this research, that is taking the form and deconstructing it into pattern shapes rather than building shapes from the body. Rhino Software, commonly used for 3D product design and architectural design, has been explored here to reimagine new forms that could bring a new innovative framework to garment silhouette and the practical aspects of taking this back to flat surfaces to remake that same silhouette. Thus the name ‘Reverse Pattern-Cutting’. Rhino 3D modelling software generates a mathematical representation of an object’s surface of the final artefact designers are trying to create. A valuable ability of this piece of software is transformting a 3D model into 2D surface that can be reconstructed back into it’s original form using any material. By using appropriate algorithms, the methodology has enabled us to build 3D forms and then take 2D components from the software to develop architecture/ fashion constructs.