Live Brief: Evaluation.

This Branding project has helped me understand how the industry works when designing for specific companies. The collection as a whole is strong and the techniques I have used relate well for Zara and could be adapted for high street wear. I never normally use such a large proportion of black, however for Zara as a high street menswear brand, this was suitable.  The use of the leather works as it adds volume and depth stopping my fabrics becoming flat. 

Initially I was worried that my samples were too plain, if I added more  techniques or colour they would not relate to the brands identity. The techniques I used are simple but effective. The inlaying brings a lot to my work and is the main technique used in conjunction with others such as drop stitch and plaiting. 

I found designing for menswear difficult. This challenge pushed my research which has helped inspire me greatly. I looked mainly into street trends and styles. This is what my brand awareness board focuses on, as all the different styles, such as layering are what Zara as a brand looks at when designing and developing their collections. I enjoyed researching future trends and how I could develop this into my own ideas and create a collection that is unique; however as Zara is a high street brand my collection will still fit in with AW season. This challenge pushed me to try to create something new for Zara. I feel I achieved this as they have never used leather in this way. I have also decided to create a menswear collection for my locating project as I found it extremely interesting researching menswear.

My concept for Branding was ‘interruptions’ which has been shown throughout my fabrics, as the striped patterns have been broken by the foils or a colour change in the yarn. This creates interruptions within each piece. The leather interrupts the textures in the fabric adding volume and depth. This concept came from my research about Zara as in menswear they have two contrasting collections, I wanted to combine these collections so they interrupt each other within a sample.

Live Brief: Knitted sampling.

I used various techniques to create a range of samples that looked simple. They have edgy looks to create an interesting effect.

All my samples have areas of details and areas of plainer knitting, as menswear especially Zara have plain collections so I did not want to add too much detail within one piece. 

With inlaying I used drop stitch and transferring to show the inlayed sections.

The ripple technique was interesting as it added texture and when foiled on in the blue the foil only caught on the tips of the ripple interrupting the stripes, relating to my concept

I used Dubied machine techniques such as, inlaying yarns and leather to bring in colour. The leather could not be knitted because it was too thick, inlaying was the only ways to incorporate this material.

By having areas of detail this creates focus points without being too obvious. This subtle detailing makes my samples a high street more wearable collection relating strongly to Zara.  

Live Brief: Design and colour development.

     I created a new colour stripe after deciding to bring in darker tonal colours. I am only going to bring the maroon in smaller sections to add hints of colour.

I painted out colour squares to gain a perspective of what my knitting will look like.

The leather which I would like to use in some of my samples will be both maroon and black, I initially was only going to use the maroon however as my palette has changed, I feel the black would be more suited.

      The materials I would like to use are cottons and wools mixed  with viscose to add a shine. Lifting my work to add depth.

Live Project: Initial design ideas.

Using black within my designs will also create a more expensive look which is appealing to the high street fashion, allowing me to increase the price range becoming a special collection within Zara. 

I started to paint out colour pallets from my research however the tones of the colours suited a ladies wear colour scheme. This is due to there being too many light colours within the pallet. I need to bring in darker colours, such as black and grey as this is more appealing to a high fashion menswear consumer.

My main yarn choice will be leather as this will look simple however have an edge and a unique style, selling point.

 I started to use an iridescent yarn however this was too shiny and feminine, so rather than using this, I am going to use a darker foil which will bring in the blue that I have found throughout my research for AW 15/16. 

Live Brief: Researching trends and developing concepts AW 1516

I started to look into AW15/16 colour trends and patterns. 

Black is used in the Moda section for Zara, as it makes the clothes look more expensive and is also more sellable to consumers. 

I feel the contrast between to two sides of Zara is a strong starting point to begin to create a concept. I would like to mix the two sides of Zara creating a mixed collection. 

I researched trends such as Moon Walker, this theme has Blocked patterns, and I noticed that these patterns have strong sharp contrasting lines. The Moon Walker trend had coated fabrics. This sheen could work within the Zara brand using foils or iridescent yarns.

I found many designers were using deep maroon and cranberry colours, I felt these colours could be brought in, in smaller sections to add colour and richness to my samples. I would like to keep my colour palette tonal using mainly black and grey.

Another colour used, in my research was mauve. This lighter colour relates well to the Classic collection.

My concept is Interruptions. Looking specifically at blocked colours and striped patterns, relating to Zara. I will break the pattern with layers of foils.  Zara has a significant contrast of Moda and Classic, which I would like to look into further, and show this contrast within my final collection. 

I have started to photograph interruptions and draw in relation to these. The images are strong and show interruptions within the spacing, colourings and size. These subtle contrasts are going to push my project and inspire me to create eight designs, combining both Moda and Classic.

Live Brief: Choosing a brand.

I have chosen Zara, the high street fashion label as my brand. I have a lot of knowledge about both the company and the products, as I work at Zara part time. Zara is a high street brand, part of Inditex. I am focusing on menswear within Zara. Menswear is split into two contrasting designs Moda and Classic.

Zara is inspired by many higher fashion brands such as Versace, Givenchy and Armani. 

Choosing a high street brand could be difficult, as I will have to keep my design ideas simpler to allow them to be developed faster. 

Zara uses a ‘Just in Time’ production method. This means that in a matter of weeks after the product is designed it is already in the stores for sale. This quick pace will drive my designs to keep them interesting however simple. 

I would like to create a ‘special collection’ for Zara using yarns such as cotton, viscose, and wool selling the products with a higher price point.

Moda is younger 'hip' styling focusing on the latest trends, featuring bold patterns, leathers, layering and darker colours.

Classic is business wear for the gentleman, it consists of simpler lighter colours, using luxurious softer materials; this increases the pricing range slightly.

Zara also uses many manmade yarn mixes with cottons and wools.