Zoe Chandler

BA (Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear

ISKO Project Credits: Zoe Chandler Project ‘Design Denim’ supported by’ ISKO™ Photography, James Rees Creative Direction, Rob Phillips Beauty, Pace Chen Model, Harriet at Select ‘A Clash of Class’ Looking at the unattainable idea of ‘achieving classlessness’ this collection is an aesthetic mix of casual sportswear and lavish luxury. Research was inspired by the typically British obsession with class. Initially my focus was the world of horseracing; and I became fascinated with this world within a world where class barriers are united and interact with apparent ease. Focusing on working and upper class imagery I combined the simplicity of the working class jockey’s uniform and the ubiquitous ‘bomber jacket,’ with detailed hand crafted details and finishes. I like to reinvent classic garments that people will always recognize and will always want to wear. I became intrigued with encasing wide elastic, synonymous to ‘trackies’ with luxury fabrics such as mohair and organza. Elastic created interesting forms, which led to the development of interesting silhouettes. My work is always process led and I design through creating 3D textile samples. Through constantly creating samples, interesting ways to manipulate fabric become apparent, which I then use as a basis for all my design work. I am focused on the finish of garments, and constant 3D manipulations help to realise the final idea of detail and finish. In this collection I have experimented with various juxtapositions of colour, silhouette and surface textile. Subtle shades of pink and white are highlighted with bright brazen colours of red, yellow and turquoise, derived from the jockeys’ silks. These create eye-catching accents throughout the collection. Simple graphic shapes become intricate details through using techniques of laser cutting and embroidery. Strategic slits in leather form segments of a diamond, which are then folded back and finished uniquely by hand. This created an interesting lacey but geometrically inspired look. Linked to this I used circular embroidered fabric fused to organza, cut in a variety of shapes. I achieved a delicate feminine textile that subtly repeated the idea of using simple shapes. Beautiful zips then created details in the delicate textiles, and reinforce the casual but opulent aesthetic. EDUCATION: 2010 – 2013 The London College of Fashion: BA(Hons) Fashion Design Technology: Womenswear 2009 – 2010 Chelsea College of Art and Design: Foundation Diploma in Art and Design WORK EXPERIENCE: May – July 2012: Full Time – New York Marc Jacobs International, Sample room and Trim Assistant Aug – Sep 2011: Full Time – London Jonathon Saunders, Runner and Studio Assistant Jan – Mar 2011: Part Time – London Hermione de Paula, Studio Assistant, I would like to thank Samuel Tweeds, Riri zips and Bischoff for their kind contributions of mohair, zips and embroidery used in the collection. http://www.samueltweed.com/ http://www.riri.com/ http://www.bischoff-textil.com/