LACE IS
Formed By the spaces between...
The capture of shadows and light...
Almost ephemeral...
This is a project I completed at fashion school, for a module called 'Laser Cutting and Intaglio.'
My initial concepts focused on the idea of spaces between things - the stuff that isn't there. Lace is a good example of this, as it is made of mostly holes. So, I researched the history of lace, and of lace collars. I then went on to make a laser-cutting design that played on the idea of space by layering chiffon cut as lace, to create different tones against the collar-bone of the wearer.
Still exploring the idea of the spaces between things, I decided to only use scraps of material which were left over from other projects - the rejects and the bits left between pattern pieces.
THE EPHEMERAL
As the project progressed, it developed, and I became interested in all things ephemeral:
those things that exist in a state between life and death; existing and non-existent. Temporary.
I began to play with shadow and light, using these to create momentary jewellery that I then immortalised in photography and in ink printing.
I captured delicate petals inside chiffon, trapping them for the duration of their short life.
My friend helped me to pour baby-powder on my neck in lace flowered patterns, creating a necklace that would blow away with a puff of wind.
I scratched a design into clear plastic, hung it above my collar bone to create a shadow box. The space between gathered all those reflections and patterns.
I placed this plastic jewellery onto a mirror, standing in the reflection to emulate a necklace on the person staring back at me.
