MERCEDES-BENZ FASHION WEEK AFRICA 2014 // GRADUATE COLLECTION // MODERN ECLECTIC // by Frances Pauls
PRESENTING MODERN ECLECTIC AT AFRICA FASHION WEEK 2014
As part of being a top 6 finalist of Elle Rising Star Africa 2014 in collaboration with Mr Price and Africa Fashion International. I was awarded the opportunity of presenting my graduate collection at Africa Fashion Week 2014.
THE INSPIRATION BEHIND MODERN ECLECTIC
...the soft, faded, sun-kissed colours that we find above the ocean's surface, the tones of the sand, sun-bleached sarongs and faded wood paint.........and how these colours are contrasted by the bright luminescent underwater life with it's naturally bright graphic colour-blocked panels........
Within Modern Eclectic I explored and manipulated many printed textiles and was inspired to create my own textiles through silk screening and laser cutting. I experimented with fading hand-selected Isishweshwe prints, bringing them down to more pastel washed-out tones that are quite unexpected for this textile. Inspired by these prints, I then designed my own patterns which I silk screened onto fine silk as well as laser cut into luxury fabrics, resulting in an eclectic mix of prints and colour. Combining this eclectic feast of prints and colour with a sophisticated sports luxe aesthetic I achieved a sports-deluxe collection which speaks equally of decorative elements as it does minimalism.