Origins Unit 1:
SLEUTHS, SPIES AND LIES:
Initial Research:
I have chosen Canal Street for my project because I feel there are so many things I could look at in the theme of “Sleuths, Spies and Lies”, including the history of the area and the present imagery (i.e colours, shapes and textures)
My first step of research was to go out and take photographs of the area, focusing on the bar paraphenalia. I then looked in to the history of the area, to understand how Canal Street became a popular homosexual bar area.

My favourite part of researching was finding out about the “Secret Pub” which was allegedly the first homosexual- only pub, where drinks were served through a hatch in the wall to preserve peoples privacy at a time when homosexuality was illegal.

I also researched a man called Alan Turing who committed suicide after being arrested for his sexuality. To conclude my historical research of the area I came up with keywords which describe the area through time.

Workshop Series 1:
I chose to do the 3D Construction workshop. With an interest in fashion designing and making I knew I would enjoy it and be able to make the most out of it with my prior knowledge.
In my first couple of weeks of 3D Construction Workshops I used the photographs I took of canal street to create 3D samples straight on to the mannequin:

I thought working with pleats was a good technique and reflected the repetition of homophobia on Canal Street. Over the course of the 3D construction workshops I looked at designers who also use pleats in there work, including Issey Miyake, although I have used pleats in a more uniformed, wearable way, I admire Miyakes innovative way he can create pleats in different ways. Miyake uses pleats in a constructive, avant garde way (picture #1), but also demonstrates the technique in a more fluid way (picture #2).

#1

#2

After playing around with samples and creating visual imagery based on photographs and drawings, I decided to follow this with creating some actual garments. I kept them simple, but wearable. And based them upon a blind drawing I did of a photograph of stacked chairs on Canal Street: