Portfolio - Mara James

MARA JAMES

2023

skills adobe creative cloud (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro) clo 3d microsoft office trend forecasting software & market research pattern cutting machine sewing (domestic & industrial)

BA (HoNS) contour fashion I am Mara James, a second year contour fashion student at De Montfort university with a strong commitment to learning and a pursuit of excellence. My work ethic is grounded in the values of hard work, organisation, and attention to detail.

During my degree, I have enhanced my skills in designing and making intimate apparel that promotes confidence and comfort. My passion for the industry extends beyond the creative process, I have explored areas such as trend analysis and sustainable fashion practices, developing my understanding of the fashion industry.

In addition to my technical skills, I enjoy working within dynamic, fast-paced environments. I have strong organisational skills, ensuring that I can work well independently and contribute as a productive member in a team. I am a proactive learner, regularly working on improving and adding to my current skill set.

linkedin : www.linkedin.com/in/maralouisejames

experience internship at fleur of england social media content creation (Youtube, instagram & tiktok) social media management content writing

email : marajames@Outlook.com

CONTENTS design 01

house of cb

PERSONAL PROJECT

02

named collective

personal project

03

free train

external PROJECT

04

djerf avenue

personal PROJECT

05 flowa

group PROJECT

technical 01

primark bodysuit

product analysis

02

lectra modaris

pattern cutting

03 basque

technical pack creation

04 bodysuit

additional sewing

house of cb PERSONAL PROJECT This project is inspired by the British countryside. It utilises my contour fashion knowledge to develop womenswear designs for House of CB. Their designs are known for their feminine aesthetics and meticulous attention to detail, so I incorporated this into my designs.

trend & inspiration countryside

marina eerie

homemade

corset

button detailing

nature

farmyard

Rural

womenswear collection S/S 25

house of cb

delicate prints

feminine

plaid

herringbone

slow living

rustic

strapping

earth tones

MARA JAMES

hero outfit - countryside collection

house of cb

thin, delicate straps

lace up front

off shoulder straps

stitch details bow details pintucks

full length top

curves to accentuate feminine shape

midi skirt

womenswear collection S/S 25

low waist

MARA JAMES

final line up - countryside collection

house of cb

busk closure

short sleeve

lace up back

pintucks tie details

pintucks

woodland print

bow details

corset style

mini length midi length

maxi length

womenswear collection S/S 25

MARA JAMES

named collective PERSONAL PROJECT I designed a lingerie collection for the streetwear brand ‘named collective’. I thought it would be interesting to explore what was worn underneath the streetwear, and bring the brand’s strong style into an underwear collection.

inspiration & Pattern development evolving logo

named collective

raw edges

graffiti contrast stitching

stencil

visible overlock rhinestones lingerie collection aw 24/25

MARA JAMES

hero outfit

named collective thin, delicate straps

stainless steel beads graphic print red mesh with flocking design

stainless steel mascot component

red contrast overlock stitch high waisted

contrast binding

curved panels to accentuate female figure

lingerie collection aw 24/25

red mesh

lingerie as outerwear

MARA JAMES

final line up

named collective

red contrast overlock stitch red flocked mesh

metal beads

underwired

longline bralette metal component mascot

high waist bodysuit

lingerie collection aw 24/25

g-string

MARA JAMES

freetrain EXTERNAL PROJECT

In this project I worked with the sportswear brand Freetrain to create a pole wear collection for autumn/winter 23/24. I started with water as my core inspiration, and took the fluid lines and abstract shapes into my designs.

inspiration

Freetrain

pole wear COLLECTION aW 23/24

MARA JAMES

initial exploration

Freetrain

pole wear COLLECTION aW 23/24

MARA JAMES

idea development

Freetrain

pole wear COLLECTION aW 23/24

MARA JAMES

pole wear - layer 1 - gilet & joggers lockable zip

Freetrain

removable hood

pockets

Fluff stuff cattail filling

drawstring waist

plastic dipped ends

pole wear COLLECTION aW 23/24

MARA JAMES

pole wear - layer 2 - top & leggings

Freetrain

breathable panels

high waist

Gecko Grip ™

cut out detailing

seamless

subtle branding

pole wear COLLECTION aW 23/24

MARA JAMES

djerf avenue PERSONAL PROJECT I decided to design for the brand Djerf Avenue. I created two collections, the first is a structured collection and the second is set of soft lingerie designs. The brand culture included focusing small moments of happiness and self-care, so I wanted to create a lingerie collection that emphasised these values.

BRAND IMAGE & INSPIRATION

DJERF AVENUE

confidence silk

sun

self care

nature pastels

flowers

details

comfort

joy

LINGERIE COLLECTION s/s 24

peace

linen

MARA JAMES

HERO OUTFIT - intimates

DJERF AVENUE

LINGERIE COLLECTION s/s 24

MARA JAMES

FINAL LINE UP - intimates off shoulder straps

DJERF AVENUE

longline bra

underwear or outerwear

gold components Transparent mesh

bow details front closure

frill detail bustier

thong suspender style design

LINGERIE COLLECTION s/s 24

higher coverage briefs

g-string

MARA JAMES

flowa GROUP PROJECT In this project we worked as a team to create a new brand and pitch it for investment. Our brand slogan was ‘nurturing women through every season of life’. We wanted to create a community that supported women throughout the different stages of their life, from their first period, through pregnancy and childbirth to menopause. In this project, I designed the period underwear collection, and built the designs in Clo 3D to aid visualisation. I also created marketing and social media mock-ups for the brand.

clo 3d

flowa

flowa

brand development

MARA JAMES

period underwear set

flowa

double strap detailing

wireless

adjustable front

bow details

Anti-flush opaque fabric

high waisted

60% bamboo fibres 40% recycled polyester

Anti-flush Lace mesh 10% bamboo fibres 80% recycled polyamide 10% recycled lycra

brazilian

brand development

Metal components 100% stainless steel

MARA JAMES

graphic design

brand development

flowa

MARA JAMES

trend and consumer research

brand development

flowa

MARA JAMES

sustainability

brand development

flowa

MARA JAMES

primark bodysuit - clo 3d garment recreation xxxxx

xxxxx

product analysis

MARA JAMES

primark bodysuit - construction techniques 1 1

3

1 - Bartack - BT

4

4

It is a very strong stitch, and therefore stops any wire from coming out, or straps detaching from the garment.

1 4

1

2 - Lockstitch - LS It is a quick and simple stitch to join together any pattern pieces that are rigid and achieve a neat outcome.

2

3 - 2mm Zigzag - ZZ

4

It is used to attach the elastic onto the lace as it allows the fabric to continue stretching.

6

5

8

4 - 3mm Zigzag - ZZ It is used to attach a wider elastic onto the lace as it doesn’t stop the fabric from stretching.

7

5 - 4 thread overlock - 4 thread OL This has been used in areas where the fabric still needs to be able to stretch a bit, but to stop fraying.

5 2 5

6 - Twin needle wire casing - 2N WC This stitch securely attaches wire casing around the cups, allowing the wires to be inserted easily.

7 - 3mm Twin needle coverseam - 2N CS This has been used as it allows the fabric to stretch and the machine simplifies the binding process.

8 - 5mm Twin needle coverseam - 2N CS This has been used to attach on elastic as it is a quick stitch but covers any fabric edges neatly and prevents fraying.

3

3

2

product analysis

5

MARA JAMES

primark bodysuit - fabrics & fibers 2

1 - stretch galloon lace

3

Gives a decorative finish to the edges of a pattern piece that needs to be able to stretch, and removes requirement to fold over the raw edge.

2 - stretch all-over lace A wide lace that can be used for large pattern pieces that need to be able to stretch over the body

3 - stabilised denier Rigid fabric that eliminates stretch and provides pattern pieces with additional structure and strength.

1

4 - cotton jersey

2

A soft and stretchy fabric used for the gusset to ensure comfort.

2

2 2

fibre composition 90%

Polyester

10%

Elastane

The elastane allows the fabric to stretch and recover, which is an important feature in bodytight clothing to ensure comfort and fit.

The polyester is a common choice to knit with elastane, it is quick drying, strong and washes easily.

This makes it an effective fibre for clothing.

4

product analysis

4

MARA JAMES

heart hardware - makes garment stand out & looks high quality

bagged out cups ensures comfort inside the bra, so no raw edges touch the body

gold sliders - give the garment a higher quality/more premium finish

extra straps - add detail & interest, make the garment more unique cut-out - follows curve of straps & creates interest at the back

inner denier is not stretchy - may lead to a worse fit of the cups

binded edge - aesthetic way to cover raw edge whilst maintaining stretch & a good shape

straps holding hearts are not elastic - top one ensures that cups stay in the correct position, bottom one may be a bit uncomfortable

uneven side seam - line at side seam becomes warped when the garment is worn

galloon front panel aesthetic finish to the edge of the pattern piece

no boning in front style lines become a bit warped elastic pulls out of shape - appearance is less high quality

product analysis

thong - can be worn comfortably under clothing as outerwear and accentuates female figure

poppers - allow the user to easily put on & remove the garment, but may be a bit bulky and uncomfortable

leg seams - cover seam and then zig zig gives high quality, delicate finish

MARA JAMES

basque - technical pack

technical pack creation

MARA JAMES

technical drawing, design & final outcome g hooks double strap detailing opaque cups

see through mesh

sliders for adjustability triangular cut out

Velvet panels underwire

high waisted bodysuit

g string

g hook for easy removable

additional strapping

leg straps

additional sewing

MARA JAMES

marajames@outlook.com