Third Year- Fabled Forest

For my final project of third year I decided to follow the trend 'Modern Myth'. The WGSN predicted trend for A/W 14/15 focused heavily on a mystical, other worldly mood. From my trend research i became influenced by the term fable. I began research into the well known Aesop's fables. The fables themselves are quite strange and imaginative. I want to use these stories within my drawing and samples, the forest will be the settings/context for samples,  I want to create a mystical, fantasy like context for the animals mentioned in the fables.
There was also a stylised approach to my drawing. This was influenced from the folklore element that is apparent in the trend forecasts.  The Maori culture and its art style connect with the stylised element of the drawing. The Maori tattoos, wood carvings and painting will serve as inspiration for the drawing. 

All images ©Yashmin Siraj

Third Year- A Japanese Journey.

My final samples for my Japanese journey project. The focus of this samples is the contrast of the block geometrics, in the form of chevron striping and graphic linear line, and the more organic detailed drawn motifs influenced by the woodblock printing.
The samples are printing on silk habotai, silk viscose, a silk/polyester blend and several types of leather. All samples were manually screen printed using processes such as devore, foiling, metallic and reactive dyes.

 ©Yashmin Siraj 2013

Third Year- A Japanese Journey

Visual Research

As third year began, the release of competition briefs coincided. I decided to enter the SDC competition which has a heavy focus upon colour and sustainability, with 'Fashion for the future' being the key phrase.

I have always been fascinated by the Japanese culture and in particular the contrasts of the different elements of its culture.

I began looking a two key characteristics of Japan, its samurai heritage and the traditional woodblock prints.


My visual research focused upon the contrast of the samurai armour and the watercolour nature of the woodblock printing. My drawing consisted of pattern making and experimentation of mark making. I looked into the geometric, repetitive nature of the samurai armour and the linear graphic line and floral focus of the block printing. The colour palette consisted of vivid blues and red, juxtaposed with metallics. I also experimented with cut out work, this further developed into laser cutting in further samples.

All images ©Yashmin Siraj