Lara Barrett

•Story • My project explores multiple Georgian love triangles divided by secrets, society, tradition and sexuality. •Fashion•Graphics•Ceramics•Animation•

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Project Statement- A Georgian Tale

My project explores multiple Georgian love triangles divided by secrets, society, tradition and sexuality.

In the beginning I believe that I struggled with self motivation and creativity due to the pressure of working at home however as time went on, I believe I was able to achieve my best work by experimenting with materials that were close to hand.

To begin, I decided to focus on the initial story itself by developing my chosen Georgian theme, characters and plots. I took inspiration from my own love life and past relationships as well as those from my friends and family. I tweaked each in different ways to make the story appear more scandalous and I also asked both my friends and family to play my characters. I then went on to develop possible set locations, suitable costuming and props appropriate to the 18th Century in order to curate the perfect atmosphere for my story and to bring my characters to life.

Through this, I looked at various fine artists, designers, novelists, TV programmes and public figures whose work and style heavily influenced my own technique and personal approach. I also learned a great deal in terms of my own family’s skill and involvement in lacework, crocheting and embroidery.

I developed this concept across all design modules however I definitely focused my work more from a Fashion perspective which I was most interested in. It also allowed me to achieve my own personal style through creating and curating my own collection.

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https://youtu.be/m05JKwpnMkc

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https://youtu.be/ejOYdozehTk

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Part 3: My modern day Georgian collection

As a continuation of my garment workshop earlier in the week, I decided to recreate my collection into modern day pieces inspired by fashion icons Lady Gaga and Billy Porter. I created these abstract pieces by rearranging, layering and manipulating my own existing items of clothing and squares of cotton fabric. I am very happy with the outcome of this modern collection inspired by my Georgian characters and I thoroughly enjoyed this task!!

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Billy Porter~Fashion Icon

Billy Porter is one of the most influential male fashion icons in the world. His goal is to “play between the masculine and the feminine” in which he embraces his inner queen to flaunt gender fluid ensembles. His iconic costuming often involves drapery, puffy gowns, embroidered capes, long trains, feathered headpieces and corseted waistlines, much like my Georgian character’s. I really admire his sense of self and confidence to model these stereotypical feminine costumes that are effectively changing the rules of propriety.

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The influence of Lady Gaga~

Lady Gaga’s unique style and eccentric personality has always inspired both me personally and the world itself to embrace their individuality, flaws and insecurities. Throughout her career she has been renowned with her absurd and breathtaking costumes that have shocked the fashion world but have inspired so many upcoming designers like myself. I really admire her character and sense of self, un afraid to be different to change the status quo and thats exactly like the leading character in my own story. Both Annabelle and Lady Gaga come to embrace their differences and show the world who they really are.

I believe her style best captures a modern Georgian Couture theme due to the repeated puffy gowns, boning under dresses, corsets, masks and eccentric hair styles.

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Part 2: Mark-making my designs

After documenting my designs, I decided to mark-make them to show the different shapes and individual dimensions created through manipulation and how they fit the body. I found this activity really enjoyable and helpful in developing our collections. I also hope to finish them over the coming days.

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Garment Workshop part 1~

To begin the workshop, I documented my selected garments before placing them on myself to show how they can be manipulated and distorted in various ways and still remain wearable draped to fit the body. I really admire the abstract coordination and final shapes of these pieces. I really enjoyed this task and I look forward to mark making my finished wearable designs.

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Making a Georgian corset~

I decided I wanted to try and make a Georgian style corset inspired by my leading lady. Although i was short on materials, I decided to cut up an old white skirt into eight different sections. I then neatly pinned the edges back. I believe the curled edges already on the initial design of the skirt, would perfectly flatter the tight elegance of the female waistline. I look forward to finishing this piece.

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Paper Mockup part 2

I decided to document and model my paper corset to show how it fits and compliments the body, emphasizing the female curves such as the waist, hips and breasts which was a common feature within the undergarments of Georgian women.

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Making a Georgian Corset~ Paper Mockup

Before making an actual corset, I wanted to play around with sugar paper to achieve the Georgian style I am looking for. I started by folding and cutting the paper by eye until I achieved my desired front and back look, in which the front dips into a straight V edge.I then fitted it to my body with tape and cut off excess material before punching holes in the rear seem and loosely intertwining it with string to be placed on the body. Lastly I incorporated the left over paper excess into straps. Overall I am happy with my desired look, I thoroughly enjoyed the quick experimentation process and I look forward to creating the real thing!

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John Galliano~Dior 2004 Fall

John Galliano was one of the first British designers to take over a French fashion house, serving as Dior’s creative director from 1996 to 2011. During this time, Galliano took Dior’s concepts of femininity and opulence and pushed them to the very edge of wearable art and as a result, it became was one of the most breathtaking and exciting brand revamps in fashion history. Under Galliano’s influence, each Dior collection was a fantastical mixture of history and pop influences that were captured on the runway as grand, elaborate theatrical experiences.

In particular, Galliano’s 2004 Fall Dior collection perfectly captures my Georgian theme of exquisite, dramatic gowns,engorged in concepts of royalties. The models took yo the runway with powdered faces wearing corseted gowns with their crowns and breasts slightly askew. The gowns themselves consisted of elaborate fabric of incredible embroidered detail, suspended in jewels with large puffy skirt flounces.

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My 8 look lineup

I decided to create an eight look collection based on the eight primary characters I created for my Georgian story. I believe my collection is unique in which each design perfectly captures both the personality and class of that character at that time period. Overall I am very happy with the outcome.

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Developing my designs

I decided to take the skills that I learned from my last fashion workshop earlier in the year and incorporate it into this project when creating my six look line up.

My story and collection explore multiple Georgian love triangles torn apart by class, tradition, sexuality and society.

It was important to me that all six looks share the classical Georgian costuming, suitable for both their class and time period.

Although the collection works in my eyes in my eyes, I believe each design is unique in portraying the personality of each character.

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Mcqueen 2008 Fall/Winter collection

Alexander McQueens 2008 Fall/Winter collection best captures my Georgian sense of royalty and rich, exquisite detail. The collection captured a sense of lightness and femininity, unalike any other collection he curated. He looked towards images of Queen Victoria and the Duke of Wellington for inspiration and adopted their iconic silhouettes into his designs. Classical features included velvet tailored jackets, large skirt flounces, classical drapery, dramatic hairstyles and Indian diamond encrusted headpieces.

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Storyboard scene of the “The Ball Dance”

•Wide shot of the ballroom, chattering amongst the crowd, Queen Rosemary at the head of the room.

•Sudden emergence from the crowd, the beautiful Lady Annabella (close up zoom in)

•Both the Prince and Sir Colin begin approach her (zoom out)

•From across the room she glances at her beloved (camera switches to Genevieve as tension rises)

•Little does she know she is being watched (zoom in to Ms Bella Cardale)

•The grand dance begins (montage of shots, Zoom in n out to the couples as they switch partners, all main characters on the ballroom floor)

~Annabelle and The Prince

~Sir Colin Maxwell and Ms Genevieve Cashel

~Peter Carington and Ms Bella Cardale

This scene was inspired by The Ball Dance episode from hit The Vampire Diaries series.

https://youtu.be/7rb6HKjdDvE

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Georgian Novelist~

Jane Austen

As part of my story creation, I looked towards one of the worlds most renowned Georgian novelists, Jane Austen. Jane was an English novelist primarily known for her six major novels, which interpret, critique and comment upon the British landed gentry at the end of the 18th century. Her plots often explore the dependence of women on marriage in the pursuit of favourable social standing and economic security such as her best selling “Pride & Prejudice”.

I wanted to imagine my own story through Jane Austen’s eyes. By that I mean I wanted to create and development my own characters, have a strong sense of setting, suitable costume for the time and strong sense of atmosphere. I never fully understood how difficult creating a story was until I experienced it first hand myself. I went through a series of ideas, characters and plots in which I faced many challenges which had to be adjusted and critiqued until perfect. Not only are you taking on one job, you have to take every role upon yourself from start to finish in order to being the story alive and I believe that’s what I did.