THE
MEDIAN JESSICA VIRK
CONCEPT STATEMENT The following collection titled ‘ The Median’ is a transeasonal hybrid collection. The collection’s main inspiration arose from my previous collection where I created a hybridized look combining sportswear and menswear tailoring together. Coherently, this collection carries similar ideas where the main concept arose from the notion of juxtaposing the concept of ‘9 to 5’ or ‘5 to 9’ framework. The collection features the anomaly of placing two different silhouettes in one whole outfit. It focuses on rethinking traditional silhouette and experimenting with 3D designs by combining ordinary work formal with couture techniques. The main inspiration for this collection came from the architect Zaha Hadid who questioned the usage of historical structure elements and formatting them into radical designs based on her own experience and rationality (Santibañez, 2020).
The hero body draws heavily from Hadid’s architectural explorations of space. Where the shaped central base layer is constructed using a variety of materials to support its intended usage. Following then layered with garments similar to Hadid’s creative process. The color scheme for this collection features dark tone pantones, featuring black, gray, navies and a little hue of beige. The Median collection caters to two markets, the Ready to Wear and Couture. Where the majority of pieces are accessible to mass markets. Whilst pieces such as ‘Hero’ are targeted towards particular individuals and their needs. In terms of consumerism, they have the privilege of wearing these garments in many different ways. These garments are made to be worn any time of the year. and for a long period. Reaching out to wider consumers anywhere around the world due to seasonal and time differences.
SCALE
COLOUR PALETTE
LOOK 1: HERO
WOOL/CREPE SHIRTING
WOOL SUITING
MAC COTTON BONDED
HERRINGBONE SUITING
LOOK 2
MAC COTTON BONDED
HERRINGBONE SUITING
LOOK 3
MAC COTTON BONDED
HERRINGBONE SUITING
COMPLETED WORK BY Pattern Making, Construction, Creative Direction, Sketches, Materials, Styling, Editing, Photography Jessica Virk
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Whitehouse Institute of Design Australian Wool Education Trust Melbourne Fashion Week Models: Rhiana, Ajak, Russia Photographers: Jessica Virk, Jye Marshall, Sari Kane
THE
DESIGNER
Jessica Virk is a Melbourne-based fashion designer who enjoys experimenting with various fabrication and construction techniques. Virk has always liked the notion of mixing and matching as a designer. The unusual combination of two entirely distinct clothing in one costume has piqued people’s curiosity in her design. Virk emphasizes revisiting conventional silhouettes and experimenting with their shape and posture, as well as experimenting with 3D design by developing new modern items using standard formal and couture processes. She received the Australian Woolmark Grant during her final year. Virk was also fortunate to have her Graduate design collection included in Melbourne Fashion Week Student Runway 2023 and be one of the top five student award recipients Further toping it off by winning the Fashion on the Field Emerging Designer Award 2023..