FASHION & TEXTILES 

EXPLORATORY STAGE:DESIGNER RESEARCH 

ThreeASFOUR

ThreeASFOUR are an avant garde trio consisting of designers Gabi Asfour, Angela Donhauser, and Adi Gil. The work displayed here is focussed on natural forms and the natural landscape, however I like the structured and architectural way the adornments have been arranged on their bodies. The natural elements behind threeASFOUR's designs were also echoed in their 2005 collection where their pieces were exhibited in "Wild: Fashion Untamed" which presented "an extensive exploration of man's ongoing obsession with animalism as expressed through clothing."

I like the trio's work as they use a neutral, organic colour palette with stunning visuals, created by the seemingly abstract shapes that can also be found in nature. 

JONATHON SAUNDERS

Jonathon Saunder's work on the other hand is vastly different to that of threeASFOUR's, with an extremely vivid and bright colour palette featuring shades of turquoise, coral and cobalt, which create a bold impact. I like Saunder's use of different fabrics in this collection as it consists largely of chiffon and silk, featuring clean cut lines while maintaining a feminine appearance. 
The main thing that strikes me about this collection is Saunder's bold geometric prints and the way they don't cover the whole of a garment, but stop part of the way up to contrast against a different colour, creating structure and lines within a piece. 

ELEY KISHIMOTO 

Like Saunder's work, Eley Kishimoto's collection also focusses largely on print, with every one of her outfits showcasing large, abstract patterns of bright bold colours. One of my favourite things about Kishimoto's work is the way in which she pairs monochrome prints next to  bold accent colours such as orange to make her designs pop! The prints she uses are a range of floral, spotty and geometric creating a bohemian/ 60's vibe. The fits of her pieces are mainly oversized and baggy creating yet more interesting lines. 

LAURA MARTINEZ 

The final designer/ Textiles artist I have chosen to research is Laura Martinez as her work combines traditional textiles with the more modern approach of 3D digital surface printing. I was drawn to the beautiful pastel shades and embellishments that she uses in her work consisting of hand sewing, bead-work and appliqué, which all soften the manufactured digital aspects also found within her work and also adorn the wearer's body through the thin, transparent layer of chiffon.

Martinez's aim is that by 'combining labour-intensive needlecraft and textile manipulation techniques with 3-D printed elements, Digicrafted looks into new design possibilities for hybrid design connecting the digital and the handmade.'