My Kenzo-inspired Electric Jungle colour palette

These colours in my final major project colour palette reflect my research of looking at other designer collections, theme of exotic animal prints and development of colour.

Kenzo mood boards for my FMP

KENZO KENZO KENZO!!!

There is just so much exotic and fabulous imagery to explore from the Kenzo spring/summer and resort collection. I think my mood boards demonstrate the vast amount of fascinating prints, patterns and textures which feature in these collection and how successful they are translated into clothing and products.

Kenzo Resort 2013 video inspiration for my FMP

Here are some screen shots of the Kenzo Resort 2013 video which was directed by Mat Maitland and designed by Natalia Stuyk. This video has been my main source of inspiration for my own textile collection which I have called 'Electric Jungle.' I felt this was a good name for the collection because the collection focuses on bright electric vivid colours and animalistic imagery and patterns.

Zebra mood board

I created this mood board by collating imagery from designer collections, interior furnishing ideas from Style.com and different zebra prints I have been exploring. I think it is interesting to note that there is such a huge overlap in pattern and print between fashion collections and interior collections. There is such a strong connection in garment fashion and interior fashion which is why I have researched lots of fashion designer references as inspiration for my interior textile collection. It's also interesting to see the diversity of zebra print and how it has been used in such different styles.

Tiger print mood board

This is my mood board of tiger print research for my FMP. I think it is intriguing to see the difference between actual graphic print of a literal tiger and then the print and pattern of a tiger's fur and how they are both used in fashion. I am focusing on the print and pattern aspects of animals in my FMP rather than the literal imagery of animals as I think there is a greater area for exploration and development of unique designs. 

Stingray mood board

Spot, dots, speckles, freckles and patches of all sorts have been a source of research in my FMP as they are all common characteristics of animal print and come in so many different shapes and sizes and styles. My stingray mood board below was created after watching David Attenborough's 'Natural World Documentary.' It was a FABULOUS documentary showing all sort of creatures and fascinating decorative species.

I found the section on stingrays really interesting because it shows how the inky patterns on the stomach of stingrays are unique to every single stingray, almost as if they have their very own unique finger print which means that they can be identified individually.

Penguin mood board

This penguin-inspired mood board was created after watching the BBC documentary 'Penguin:Spy in the Huddle' which was a fabulous series intimately following the lives of different species of penguins. I must admit before watching the series I was unaware of just how many different types of penguin there are in the world! It was fascinating to see how determined and protective they are over their young and the strong relationships that they have with each other. I took quite a few photos of stills from the documentary, focusing on interesting textures and cross-sections of pattern. I don't think one would necessarily consider a penguin as a strong ambassador for animal print but after studying them it is apparent that they have many interesting characteristics and areas of detailed speckled and textured patterns. 

Snow leopard mood board

I love the patterns on snow leopards. They have such a unique and interesting kind of spot which changes all over their bodies.

Giraffe moodbard

I have been looking at giraffe imagery for my final major project and have created a giraffe mood board as shown above. After investigating giraffe print further it would seem that it is becoming quite a common trend at the moment in stores like Topshop and Dorothy Perkins are featuring more and more cool giraffe print inspired designs.

Topshop's kissing giraffe pleated skirt

Dorothy Perkin's giraffe print maxi dress

Top shop giraffe print skirt

Electric Jungle Autumn Winter 2014 Collection

David Lam Photo-shoot

On the 2^nd of April, I had the great opportunity to have a selection of my final major project work professionally photographed by David Lam. This was a really interesting experience for me as I have never been on the set of a photo shoot or been involved in one before. Therefore, I delighted in arranging my exotic animal printed-inspired samples in a decorative and attractive way in order to create a really effective and eye-catching photograph that I can use as the image on my postcards.

I am really happy with the end result. After a few initial shots, David Lam captured the perfect image and used Photoshop software to clean up the background so that it looked crisp and professional and furthermore he made sure that the tactile and textured qualities of my samples were showcased really well using specialist lighting equipment. I made a conscious decision to keep the edges of my prints in an organic and raw textured state which I feel enhances the beauty of their pleasant textures

My postcard

Trend boards for the Arcadia interview

Trend 1: Neon Hypnotic Jungle:

Inspired by the hallucinogenic animal and jungle imagery and prints in the Kenzo Resort 2013 fashion collection video, by Natalia Stuyk and Matt Maitland. 

Tend 2: Bring Bowie Back!!!

Inspired by the David Bowie V&A Exhibition, multi-directional stripes, PVC, metallic leathers and body-con cat-suits.