AMY COTTRELL V2

S / S 2023 I. 0 0 5

AMy Cottre ll

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concept statement market placement moodboard colour palette trend development body one body two body three body four & five body six the collection MFW references about

Plasticity explores our relationship with the man-made substance that was once strongly associated with progress and is now held responsible for major environmental damage. Transparent plastics have often been used in fashion to communicate futurism (Borelli-Persson 2019), ironic considering the future of plastics is in doubt. In nature, plasticity describes how organisms have the ability to adapt, changing their form and function (Skipper et al 2010), to fit into a harsh and challenging world. This collection reflects on the idea that while manmade development and progress is exciting, it comes at a cost and is creating overwhelming challenges, particularly in the form of climate change. Just like insects that have adapted of hundreds of thousands of years to changing elements, it is essential that we learn to adjust to new conditions in order to survive and likewise, the use of plastics also needs to adapt and change as we move forwards. With more than 50% of textiles containing some form of plastic, the urgent search is on for a more sustainable way to clothe the world (Usborne 2019). Plasticity explores the use of recycled and repurposed plastics to create beautiful feminine garments, as well as the use of bioplastics, as a way of redefining the use of plastics within the modern world.

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The Plasticity collection acknowledges that change can be difficult and in order to move forward with hope and harmony, things that are important to us, such as warmth, joy, knowledge, treasures from our past, and freedom, remain a part of our progress. Plasticity embraces a balance between fluidity, movement and freedom with an underlying structure, rigidity and constraint which provides protection and an essential foundation for expression, adaptability and evolution, allowing the future to become filled with possibilities.

Change requires bravery, strength of character,

In the Plasticity collection, excitement is created by

innovation, and dreams of something better or new

similar contrasts, where natural meets manmade,

and the Plasticity collection represents this for the

structure meets free flowing, hard meets soft and

modern, daring, risk taker. The use of innovative

movement meets stability.

techniques and recycled plastic create structured bodices and protective shells, unique textures and

Plasticity provides an opportunity to break free from

opportunities for reflective light. Despite being

constraints, it is a way to push boundaries and strive

manmade, the pieces reflect the beauty of nature

for something better. Organic elements that reflect

and create a sense of flow or movement bringing

the natural environment, created out of structured

life to the collection. The shimmery light reflecting

manmade elements, represent a sense of resilience

off plastic that represents running water, creating a

and survival. Panels of ruffles and textures create a

sense of fluidity and freedom is juxtaposed against

sense of movement that contrasts with the unyielding

structured lines and a sense of underlying strength.

stability of solid panels in heavier, more structured

Effortless elegance and beauty underpinned by

materials such as plastic and stiffened fabrics, which

stability and structure is reflective of classical dancers

provide a sense of protection and overall, a futuristic

that mould and reshape themselves constantly as a

sense of beauty and wonder.

way to express themselves to their audience.

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market place m e nt Plasticity is for women who are strong, spirited, and

time being recognised for a strong social conscience

individual. The Plasticity woman is intelligent and has

and a leader in finding sustainable solutions in

strong ideas and ethics, she values environmental

fashion. The vibrant colours of the bioplastic contrast

responsibility and refuses to compromise her love

against warm earthy tones and the effortless style

for luxury fashion to achieve this. She is successful

of this collection is sure to appeal to the modern,

professionally, is very social, keeps active, is well

confident and stylish woman that appreciates the

travelled, takes fashion seriously, prides herself on

detail and craftmanship of high-quality, unusual

her choices and likes to stay ahead of the trends.

pieces. The collection brings a sense of opulence

She covets beautiful and unique pieces and values

and optimism, a positivity and fearlessness and an

quality and innovation. She loves exploring fashion

escape to a new more futuristic world where we live

trends and ideas. She also enjoys looking at vintage

in harmony with plastics. Made from bioplastics,

consignment and new emerging designers as a

pineapple leather and other unusual materials,

source of unique pieces.

and paired with natural fibres such as silk and linen, with original prints and intricate hand embellished

The Plasticity collection is made to stand against

detailing, these pieces are made to remain a

modern day couture, bringing a cool edge to more

wardrobe favourite for many seasons to come.

traditional and elaborate couture while at the same

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Key Colours

Ethereal Tints

Neutrals

Colour palette Ethereal tints derived from natural sources and neutrals tones combined with metallics create this harmonious colour palette for Plasticity.

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tre n d other worlds

1. Threeasfour Fall 2022 Couture | 2. Louis Vuitton Resort 2023 | 3. Rick Owens Fall 2022 Ready-to-Wear | 4. Burberry Spring 2022 Ready-to-Wear | 5. Valentino Fall 2022 Couture 11

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tre n d sheer

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1. Ryunosukeokazaki Tokyo Fall 2022 | 2. Loewe Fall 2022 Readyto-Wear | 3. Fendi Fall 2022 Couture | 4. The Attico Pre-Fall 2022

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Pratt Institute Fall 2022 RTW

Loewe Fall 2022 RTW

Louis Vuitton Resort 2023

Ryunosukeokazaki Tokyo Fall 2022

Jonathan Simkhai Resort 2023

Marc Jacobs Fall 2022 RTW

Rick Owens Fall 2022 RTW

Y/Project Spring 2023 Menswear

Iris Van Herpen Fall 2022 Couture

Loewe Spring 2022 RTW

Schiaparelli Spring 2022 Couture

Threeasfour Fall 2022 Couture

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tre n d 1. Robert Wun pleating | 2. Iris Van Herpen Spring 2021 Couture colour and movement | 3. Y/Project Spring 2023 Menswear jewellery details | 4. Supramolecule digital fashion | 5. Dion Lee Spring 2022 silicon use in fabrication

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Deve lopm e nt The innovation of sustainable and unusal materials brings real value to this collection, exploring new forms of plastic and their diverse use discovered through experimentation.

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Bioplastic Deve lopm e nt es natural dy s Blueberrie

bioplastic bag first sample boot sample

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ng with i t n e m i r e p les ex first samp and drying times es recipies, dy

Print c re of biop ated from im lastic s age ample

ails eyelet det tal on each pe

melted plastic beads to hang off eyelets

lifted during drying process to allow edges to curl once dry

Bioplastic ski rt Deve lopm e nt 21

stitche d exposed onto belt wit h zip clo sure

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Bioplastic Leath e r Deve lopm e nt

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A leather-inspired bioplastic created using the texture from the surface of a trestle table. Bioplastic is poured onto trestle table and left 8 days without touching to dry, allowing it to form a sheet with a leather-like texture. The air that gets trapped within the bioplastic and table surface brings out a stronger colour and also forms a more stable, stronger material.

use dropper to add bubbly texture

recycled plastic melted beads used throughout collection

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Body ONE

Bodysuit Original print on Eco Active 85% polyester 15% Spandex Jacket Pineapple leather (Pinatex) featuring asymmetrical exposed zip closure

Textured Pleated Skirt 90% silk 10% polyester Sunray pleated

Long Pleated Skirt 100% silk organza Sunray pleated

Bioplastic Belt Handmade bioplastic material, edible & biodegradable Natural dye - Spinach

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Body TWO

Pant & Skirt Repurposed sheer fabric with silicon applique Skirt featuring pineapple leather buckle closure

Cropped Strappless Bodice Original print created from bioplastic image on Eco Drill 100% cotton

Recycled Plastic Bead Top Beads handmade and melted around strands of fabric - 100% cotton

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Body three

Bioplastic Vest Handmade bioplastic material, edible & biodegradable Featuring bioplastic flowers and recycled melted plastic beads Mini Skirt Pineapple leather (Pinatex)

Recycled Plastic Bodice Handmade melted beads molded together into sculpted bodice

Body four &five

STrapless dress Same base under bodies four and five with different applique techniques using bioplastic and recycled melted plastic handmade beads

Dress Repurposed fabric Hand applied recycled melted plastic bead strands

Bioplastic Boots Handmade bioplastic material, edible & biodegradable

Bioplastic Dress Handmade bioplastic material, edible & biodegradable Individual pieces of bioplastic constructed together with eyelets Natural dye - spinach

Body six

Silk Bodice Paper mache technique applied to fabric (100% silk) Featuring pineapple leather strap and buckle closure at back and neck

Bioplastic Skirt Handmade bioplastic material, edible & biodegradable Individual petals created and constructed together with eyelets Natural dyes- tea

Recycled melted plastic beads drip off skirt

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Th e collection

Taking cues from the hard exteriors of insects combined with the beauty of movement, Plasticity provides an edgy elegance in it’s unique custom pieces.

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Plasticity collection was presented as part of Melbourne Fashion Week’s student Runway October 2022

Re fe re nces Borelli-Persson L (2019 Inspired by Craig Green’s Fall 2019 Lineup, a Look at Fantastic Plastics in Fashion. Vogue, article, viewed 20/6/2022, https://www.vogue.com/article/trace-a-trend-plastics-in-fashion-craig-green Skipper M, Weiss U and Gray N (2010) Plasticity, Nature, Vol 465 Issue no. 7299, 10 June 2010, article viewed 20/6/2022, https://www.nature.com/articles/465703a.pdf Usborne S (2019) The big fashion fight: can we remove all the toxic plastic from our clothes? The Guardian, article viewed 30/6/2022, https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2019/jul/16/the-bigfashion-fight-can-we-remove-all-the-toxic-plastic-from-our-clothes

i mage Re fe re nces Angkatavanich V (2015) Siamese fighting fish on black background [image] viewed 16/6/2022, https://500px.com ImaxTree (2018) Iris Van Herpen couture details [image] accessed 16/6/2022, https://www.livingly.com/runway/Iris+Van+Herpen/Couture+Fall+2018/Details/4sYCSRky9UM Kumbhglass (2022) light pendant [image] accessed 18/6/2022, https://kumbhglass.theshop.jp/ MOMA(2022)Gaetano Pesce. Pratt Chair 1984 [image] viewed 16/6/2022, https://www.moma. org/collection/works/87278 Morgan D (2013) Wayne Mc Gregor’s Chroma with melissa Hamilton and Edward Watson [image] accessed 16/6/2022, https://cultur3w4rr1or.tumblr.com/ Platyrhopalopsis mellei (2015) [image] accessed 16/6/2022, https://dunyadanbirhaber-com/renkleriyle-kendilerine-hayran-birakan-canlilar/?_x_tr_sl=tr&_x_tr_tl=en&_x_tr_hl=en&_x_tr_pto=sc Robson A (2009) Liquid Asset, artwork made from PET bottles [image] viewed 16/6/2022, https:// www.aurorarobson. com/sculpture Sundsbo S (2009) Guinevere Van Seenus [image] accessed 20/6/2022, https://solve-sundsbo. livejournal.com/

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