Photoshoot for the Bin Liner Boxtop.

Waste Garment Project in partnership with Co-Oproduct.

See more here.

Just a few behind the scenes shots I took of the photoshoot for the garments I made out of melted bin liners... box top with hinge fastenings and scalloped mini.

Above: Shots I took on set

Below: Shots taken by Jamie from Co-Oproduct and Wayne from Life Photographic

The Waste Project/ Co-Oproduct.

What is Co-Oproduct?

The other project I've been working on was in partnership with Co-Oproduct; an online platform that focus on creative re-use of everyday waste, where people post Make-It-Yourself tutorials on how to produce new products from raw materials. As part of the project, we were required to make a garment out of waste, influenced by aspects of our trend. (See The Colour Project for our Trend Forecast).

Interpreting the Brief...

Experimentation: I chose to use white plastic bags because I found that they had alot of potential in terms of the delicate, glossy aesthetic. Using tesco bags and white bin liners, I produced this beautiful leather-like texture. Taking aspects from the trend project, such as the Industrial detailing (curtesy of Paulina Geidrojc) I added steel hinge fastenings to the front of the garment.

I began experimenting by collecting white plastic Tesco bags and bin liners, as I knew I wanted to create a garment that was pure + lucid in colour and more decorative on its surface. I appreciated the potential of the delicate, glossy aesthetic of the plastic, and through layering and ironing the bags, I discovered that the heat produced this beautiful, ruffled, leather-like texture. I then went on to create a garment out of the material, using nothing but an iron to create the fabric, and bond the seams together.

Below: a few shots of the creative processes that went into making the Plastic Bag Box Top. Full DIY tutorial can be found HERE on my Co-Oproduct profile.

Garment Design/ Photography: Jessica Leigh Haughton

Ideas for Industrial Fastenings: Paulina Giedrojc

Model: Chloe Bampton

The piece was a success, as I took my waste products, broke them down and moulded them into a new textile, creating a basic, conventional garment that was completely unrecognisable as a plastic bag. So far developed from it's 'natural', initial state. A garment that incorporated fashion design techniques, but a simple enough construction method that can then be replicated through DIY tutorials, by anyone at home. Sticking to the ethos of Co-oproduct and the essence of sharing creative ideas within a community, I produced my own textile out of waste, creating a garment that is wearable and long-lasting.

The garment was even chosen as one of four out of the year group, to be photographed as part of a professional shoot!

The White Project - Photoshoot

Here's the final garment I designed and photographed for my first uni project, the White Project.
The silhouette was inspired by dystopian novels by the likes of Orwell, Vonnegut and Zamyatin, as well as glass structures such as vintage perfume bottles. In terms of detail, I worked with the concept of concealing and encapsulating embellishment, having it loosely sit within the sleeves of the jacket and the panel along the skirt. It was by far the toughest project I've ever had to do, but I've learnt so much over the first term and feel a huge development in terms of my personal style, what inspires me as well as my design skills.

Cotton farmin' folk.

Embellished bralette, handmade floral garland on satin coat hanger, close-up, charity shop finds.

Pieces for the Deer Ava collection hanging on my wall... Now i'm wondering if I even want to sell them...
Bought some beautiful 1970's floral fabric in the charity shop yesterday, along with a Roy Orbison vinyl, leather bound sketchbook + one suede + one denim shirt. I do find some gems.
Also, got a thing for Nancy Sinatra.

Latest creations.

Chiffon kimono with pearl embellishments, and pale pink, lace hem shorties.

Deer Ava.

A sheer, chiffon top with lace details.

Decided on a name for the collection of my vintage inspired handmade lingerie pieces... Deer Ava. 

In Greek mythology, the deer is linked to Artemis, goddess of the hunt, the wilderness and virginity. 

The name Ava, traditionally means 'like a bird'. I wanted the name to contain elements of animal characteristic's to portray the spirit of typical girl who would wear my lingerie - a virginal huntress, winged, feathered, free. It's a play on the word 'Dear' which resonates and romanticises with letter writing. An art of a by-gone era. 

Lolita-esque Cream Chiffon Bralette.

Here's the second piece I've been working on. The cream chiffon bralette. I always forget how frustrating it is working with such delicate, cobweb-like fabrics. The garment is nowhere near finished yet, I just pinned it onto the mannequin to see how it looked thus far and decided to take a quick shot of the creation process.

The Striped 50's Bralette.

The last couple days I've been busy working on the first piece of the collection, the faded candy coloured striped, 1950's inspired bralette. Clearly, it's not quite finished yet, still have to sew in the back, then add a few buttons for the fastenings and maybe add a little bow detail at the front. I love the material, so many different things spring to mind just looking at it, vintage sweet packaging, waitress's aprons in fifties diners, old school summer dresses. The fabric, combined with the design are both just so expressive of the vision I had in mind... summery, pin-up style, vintage beachwear inspired. I can't wait to get this one finished so I can start making the checkered powder blue bralette, and also a creamy white Lolita-esque one too.

Exhibition Show

A few shots from the Foundation Exhibition Show at London College of Communication. So pleased with how the piece turned out. The course is finished now, and the years been really difficult, but I've learnt a lot in terms of what I'm interested in artistically, what inspires me and what I want to pursue in the future. Next year I'm off to Nottingham Trent to do a degree in Fashion Design, so excited.

Embellished Kimono & Satin Lace Pieces.

Shots of the embellished chiffon kimono.

As well as creating lingerie pieces such as bralettes and tap pants, I thought I would create some sort of kimono to go with them. Having purchased a light chiffon material from a vintage shop, I realised it was too thin to make underwear out of, but it was the perfect fabric to produce a kimono. Also, in the process of trying to figure out which lingerie pieces will be placed on the mannequin, and how the installation will appear in the exhibition space. The photographs above show the cream satin pieces as well.

To accompany the lingerie garments in the exhibition, I created photography pieces too, of my model (Laura Marie Keogh) wearing the cream satin pieces. From the shoot, I chose the three strongest photos and framed them, to hang on the wall in the exhibition space.

To see the photographs from the shoot... 

Vintage Lace Bralettes.

Collection of vintage lace I picked up at Portobello market. Using this vintage scarf I created the bralet below...

Shots of the vintage lace, embellished bralette

Using the vintage lace I bought at Portobello, I created this bralette and embellished it with little pearls, all of which was completed by hand. The high-waisted shorts were created using a light chiffon material, cut from the lining of an old dress.

Shots of the satin/lace bra with matching high-waisted knickers.

 Out of all the pieces created, these two are definitely my favourite. The cream satin lining used for these pieces, was originally a dressing gown I found in Oxfam and picked up for £3! And the lace was from a vintage store.

Deciding to create garments for this project, has made me realise that I want to go into Fashion Design for the degree next year. I feel it suits me perfectly, as my talents lie within drawing/ illustrating, as well as sewing and working with different textures and materials. It also leaves the opportunity open to still include other media's i'm passionate about: photography and film.