melissabarrass

BA design COFA (UNSW) maj. textile + graphic design www.melissabarrass.com

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Introducing my new portfolio site. You have the first exclusive viewing.

I will no longer post to this tumblr portfolio.

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doux et délicat yardage textile design. Illustrated florals for a “work in progress” brief. Designers were asked to submit a textile print that would appeal to young women and also had an unfinished, raw aesthetic whilst utilising white space. Designed by Melissa Barrass.

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A Place to Bury Strangers - Sydney, 2015.

Shot by Melissa Barrass Sony Nex 5N via Satan Vision filter

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Designs done for House of Quirky nov 2014 - feb 2015

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Personal designs.

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personal designs.

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Photoshoot for Spook Magazine featuring Bo & Aropax.

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Photoshoot featuring Bo & Aropax. 

Shot by David Goh and styled by Schuanne Cappel.

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Coiled leather bowl.

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mini-collection presentation/marking panel

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I AM NOT AN OBJECT 'I am not an object' Is an exploration of the dichotomies of gender equality between progressive Sweden and traditional India. With the focus on interlacing techniques, the designer draws the connection between women's rights and Kinbaku (a traditional Japanese bondage technique) through sex positive feminism.  After visiting India in January, 2014, the designer spoke with locals over different states about the lifestyle of a female growing up and living in India. if a female survives feticide and infanticide they will most likely be subjected to oppression, violence, sexual abuse, dowry-related murder, eve-teasing, sex trafficking and many more horrible situations in the coming years of their lives. Is this what life is like for young girls and women in India?  The collection celebrates powerful women, feminism, the female hero/warrior/fighter protagonist, the brave, intellectual and successful goddesses through a bold series of highly detailed fashion wearables. Designed and made by Melissa Barrass Materials used: Second hand leather (not direct from tannery), hand-dyed cotton rope from India, 50% silk 50% linen blend fabric Photography by myself Sony NEX5N

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COFA graduate collection / major project

'I am not an object' Is an exploration of the dichotomies of gender equality between progressive Sweden and traditional India. With the focus on interlacing techniques, the designer draws the connection between women's rights and Kinbaku (a traditional Japanese bondage technique) through sex positive feminism.

After visiting India in January, 2014, the designer spoke with locals over different states about the lifestyle of a female growing up and living in India. if a female survives feticide and infanticide they will most likely be subjected to oppression, violence, sexual abuse, dowry-related murder, eve-teasing, sex trafficking and many more horrible situations in the coming years of their lives. Is this what life is like for young girls and women in India?

The collection celebrates powerful women, feminism, the female hero/warrior/fighter protagonist, the brave, intellectual and successful goddesses through a bold series of highly detailed fashion wearables.

Designed and made by Melissa Barrass

Materials used: Second hand leather (not direct from tannery), hand-dyed cotton rope from India, 50% silk 50% linen blend fabric

Thanks to the team: Photography by Paul Leonardo, hair & makeup by Glenn O'Reilly and model is Mona Meirop

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Typography titling design by Melissa Barrass

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Crystallize by Melissa Barrass (2014)

Torso design, vinyl & mylar.

Photography: myself

Styling: myself + SJ

Model: SJ

  Crystallize is the exploration of shield, shell and shape through the use of modern materials designed in a contemporary manner where natural geological formations serve as a major inspiration for the form of the fashion wearables. The design features 90 triangular pyramids roped together with fishing wire at the back of the bodice, and are each composed of vinyl and mylar film. On the front are 5 elongated crystal-like subjects, which are also formed with vinyl and mylar, this time on a vinyl pattern to form the front of a female torso.

The method of creating the 3-dimensional pyramid structures begins at the creation of a net shape. This involves measuring (allowing for side seams) and hand-cutting before sewing the sides together with invisible thread. Sewing each edge involves tying the ends off, and trimming the edges back one by one. After all but one edge is completed, the pyramid is to be reversed (inside out) and a 2.5cm x 78cm strip of mylar scrunched up is to be inserted. The pyramid is then closed up and the last edge is sewn together, tied off at both ends and the last edge trimmed back. The pyramid is then complete, and the process is repeated til the desired number of pyramids is achieved.

Column by column, the pyramids are assembled and joined together with fishing wire, then are roped together diagonally to ensure maximum movement and strength. After a column is complete, it is attached to a parallel column. This process continues and is then hand-tacked to the front torso piece at either side and at the shoulders. I believe this gives the garment a sense of natural movement and flexibility. These pieces are joined to a centre back strip, which has been added purely for aesthetic reasons and breaks up the texture, at the same time drawing a relation to the design symmetry of the front bodice.

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Process shape shield and shell (2014)

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Cultural textiles: India (2014)

India visit January-February 2014

Inspired by the haywire society of India, the condensed communities, electrical wires over-hanging the streets, and the Flamingoes of Little Rann of Kutch.

Featuring handwoven, digital and block printed designs

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Experimental fashion collages (2013) Beginning research for major project