Research on recycle/ up-cycle designers 10th September

Designers I find interesting and whose work inspires me.

Liora Lassalle was born in Kent. She studied Creative Textiles, and Art and Design A-Levels at Exeter College, where she experimented with using recycled materials with fine fabrics such as silks.

Liora Lassalle's "Soft Fruit and Hard Lines" collection for S/S 14 focused on vibrant colourful prints of fruit. Strong lines gave a bold look to the collection. It was obviously inspired by Brazil and Carmen Miranda. One of Liora Lassalle's many denim pieces was a dress where she used up-cycled jeans and various techniques including slashing extra material to create a textured look. This provided interest to the dress. In fact, ripped, stripped, stripes of up-cycled denims have become somewhat of a trademark for Liora Lassalle.

Another of Liora Lassalle's collections, 'The Wig and the Triangle S/S14', was inspired by the 18th century style clothing. The mixture of soft lace and girlish frills of the 18th century designs were brought up to date and given a modern twist with the use of up-cycled hi-visibility jackets and nylon uniforms. The contrast between 18th century decoration and modern plastics was amazing.

Liora Lassalle's innovative designs have energy. Her interesting use of traditional materials, combined with up-cycled materials show that you can take clothing designs from any century and make them fashionable and wearable today.

Don Pezzano has been making his unique reclaimed and recycled clothing in Sydney, Australia since 2010. Although some of his designs are for women the majority of his work is marketed and designed for men. Don Pezzano's great love for science fiction manifests in his designs. Each collection has a unique and personal feel.

His collection Outland 9 has a strong post apocalyptic feel to it. The collection has material sourced from military surplus. You might believe the clothing had been made out of salvaged clothes from a future world; imagine people walking across the desert in a destroyed world trying to survive on things they find. The work of Don Pezzano has achieved a wonderful balance of 'rough and ready' and detail.

After looking at Don Pezzano work, I found a collection of Steampunk watches. Not knowing a lot about Steampunk, I set out to find the meaning, as well as some clothing that matched the interesting art work. In doing so I found Judi Morales Gibson.

Judi Morales Gibson is a designer living in California. She has her own sewing workshop and a large collection of Steampunk designs which are all up-cycled. (Steampunk is about the Victorian era in an alternative mechanical future where steam power is mainly used. Steampunk art and fashion is often made out of up-cycled or used materials.) Judi Morales Gibson's use of up-cycled Victorian style, mixed with mechanical gears, keys, buckles and belts creates an eye catching collection of designs. I don't think anyone could walk past her work with out looking at them.

Having looked at Judi Morales Gibson designs, I now have some more ideas for my own design. I enjoy the unique, but old feel to the style and might try to incorporate some of this into my work.