TASK 01: RESEARCH & DESIGN CONSTRUCTION

WEEK 01 - WEEK 04

RESEARCH & DESIGN CONSTRUCTION

Contents:

Research
Customer Profile
Story Board
Mood Board
Concept Board
Design Development
Finish Drawing
Technical Drawing

THEME FOR THIS SEMESTER; FASHION COLLAB

For this semester, we are required to select 1 specific sneakers brand and conduct an in depth research regarding the brand. From there, choose a sneaker that interests you and base from the chosen specific style and structure from the sneaker's brand that you had chosen, create one specific subject matter to interpret your story in your design.

I had chosen the brand BALENCIAGA to conduct my research and the sneakers that I've chosen is their classic Track Sneakers in the shade fade blue.

Research : (on Balenciaga)

Spanish brand Balenciaga was established in the Basque Country in Spain before relocating to France and opening a boutique store in Paris in 1937 as a result of the Spanish Civil War. Balenciaga used sleek and linear lines in the post-war era that deviated from Christian Dior’s hourglass shape popularized at the time. He revolutionized women’s fashion in the 1950s, and by the 1960s had developed trademark styles such as the collar deviating from the collar bone, and the “bracelet sleeves.”Balenciaga was acquired by multinational French company Kering in 2001 – who own Yves Saint Laurent, Gucci and Alexander McQueen among others – and was pegged as the company’s fastest growing brand in 2018.

Brand History:

Balenciaga, founded by Spanish designer Cristóbal Balenciaga in 1917, is renowned for its innovative and avant-garde fashion. Balenciaga opened his first boutique in San Sebastián, Spain, before moving to Paris in 1937 due to the Spanish Civil War. The brand became famous for its revolutionary designs, such as the balloon jacket, sack dress, and cocoon coat, which broke traditional fashion norms. After Cristóbal Balenciaga retired in 1968, the brand experienced a period of dormancy until its revival in the late 20th century. Today, under the creative direction of designers like Nicolas Ghesquière and Demna Gvasalia, Balenciaga continues to be a leading influence in contemporary fashion, known for its edgy and forward-thinking aesthetic.

Mission:

Balenciaga strives to push the boundaries of fashion through bold, innovative designs while maintaining a commitment to sustainability and ethical practices. The brand aims to balance creativity with responsibility, ensuring that its operations and products reflect a dedication to environmental and social sustainability.

Task Requirements:

"Student will understand on research and development Flow chart. A basic complete procedure of designing stages in much more systemized. This includes visual thinking which allows them to

explore a subject or idea more in-depth, which trigger associations in the brain spark further ideas. Initial creative thinking to create an imagination self-expression towards a unique design collection."

SHOE CHOSEN:

BALENCIAGA TRACK SNEAKERS (FADE BLUE)

2. Customer Profile:

For this collection, I would be aiming for age groups between 18-35 years old. Catering towards predominantly male, but with a significant female audience. Due to the streetstyle aesthetic, this collections customer geographical location that suits more to the aesthetic would be urban areas in major cities across the globe such as New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, Tokyo, and Shanghai.

Leaning towards customers with a trendsetter and fashion-forward individuals who are active on social media and follow latest fashion trends.

With this collection, I aim to bring out confident, bold and customers that are willing to take risks in their fashion choices. They are often early adopters of new trends and technologies. The customers shopping habits should lean more towards sustainability fashion platforms. Able to influence the public to practice such trends creating a profile containing positive outcomes.

SUBJECT MATTER INSPIRATION:

DARK NEBULA

Dark nebulae are dusty clouds that absorb and scatter the light of background stars. Therefore, they create a region of the sky that looks starless, but it's really a place where new stars are forming.

A dark nebula is a type of interstellar cloud comprised of dense dust grains and gas that obscure the light from objects behind them, such as stars or other bright celestial bodies. They appear as dark patches against the background of stars, earning them the name "dark nebulae." These clouds can range in size from small, isolated regions to large complexes spanning many light-years across. While they may appear featureless to the naked eye, dark nebulae play a crucial role in the process of star formation, as the dense material within them can eventually collapse under its own gravity to form new stars and planetary systems.

What I saw through this?

Envisioning a space with boundless opportunities and chances is just astronomical. I always wanted to remind people that no matter what you do, no matter how minimal it seems, it's going to end up in the greater end of things. Endless opportunities await you at the end of the road.

3. Story Board:

"In the vast expanse of the cosmos, amidst the swirling mists of the universe, lies the enigmatic beauty of dark nebulae. These cosmic clouds, shrouded in obsidian hues, embody the essence of mystery and potential. Within their depths, hidden from sight, lies the birthplace of stars, where gravitational forces sculpt the fabric of space and time. Though cloaked in darkness, these nebulae are not devoid of light; rather, they harbor the promise of new beginnings and celestial wonders yet to be discovered. Like beacons in the night, they remind us that even in the darkest of

moments, there exists the spark of creation and the infinite possibilities that await those who dare to explore the unknown."

4. Mood Board:

5. Conceptual Story:

Within the depths of darkness lies the birthplace of stars, where even the dimmest light can illuminate the universe with hope and possibility. Like beacons in the night, they remind us that even in the darkest of moments, there exists the spark of creation and the infinite possibilities that await those who dare to explore the unknown. Embrace the boundless potential within you, for in every moment lies the infinite expanse of possibility. Each choice, each action, is a brushstroke upon the canvas of your existence, painting a masterpiece of endless potential. Dare to dream, to explore, to create, for within you resides the power to shape your destiny and manifest the extraordinary. Believe in the limitless horizons of your being, and let your journey be a testament to the wondrous capacity of the human spirit to defy boundaries and reach for the stars.

6. Design Idea Developments:

By using components of the shoes, we implied the cut & paste method to start our initial idea developments. By this method, we are able to get various shapes and sizes with unique cuttings. But with athleisure in mind, I was able to narrow down the design and make it minimal and RTW with the shapes and cutting for the design.

20 initial idea developments:

4 Chosen Designs from the Initial Idea Development:

From here, we broke down the designs and described in detail the components of the shoe and intended idea changes for the design for further development.

During this process, many ideas were flooding in to continue further development and that helped me with creating a detailed sketch. Learning from past mistakes, I was able to simplify the designs into RTW.