Laminariales
2023
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Constructed at NCEA Level 3 for Wearable Design Technology class, this design explores the fluidity and beauty of everyday kelp washed up on our Aotearoa shores. The design combines finer details of sublimation printed fabric with bolder elements of long organza tendrils that embody the seaweed.
Concept Board
The choice of name Laminariales, is the latin term for the yellow species of kelp. The beginning of the term, ‘laminaria’ directly translates to ‘having thin plates or blades’, which is embodied with the organza in this design. I chose to center this design around the typical kelp we see on our shorelines, as I feel there is an inner beauty to it, which is better reflected through its latin name.
The design features an asymmetrical one-shoulder neckline, to reflect the rhythmic flow and asymmetry of the kelp when suspended in the ocean. The base of the dress is a 100% polyester satin, which was then sublimation ink printed with a unique repeat pattern I designed myself, from referenced seaweed imagery. The stretching tendrils of brown and yellow organza are flounce ruffles that have been manipulated, some using heat, to reflect the organic curves of real-life laminariales. This design is engaging and interactive to all who see it, and once was previously displayed in the Island Bay Marine Education Centre, in the Bait House Aquarium, situated next to fish tanks that contains its very own inspired subject matter.
Initial Design Sketch
The design is made up of long organza ruffled organza tendrils that stretch along the form, with a printed satin dress underneath.
I designed this print pattern for the satin myself, by taking a photograph of a piece of the seaweed, turning this into a motif, and overlaying it to become a repeat pattern tile that I sublimation printed onto the fabric. A tile of this pattern is shown below.
Experimental Design:
Fabric Manipulations
To achieve the intended outcome of my design, I utilised various forms of fabric manipualtion, including gathering, printing and using a heatgun. For the long tendrils of organza, I layered yellow and brown colours together, then used a heatgun on specific spots to get an organic rippled look, intended to mimic the look of seaweed when washed up on shore.
Design on Display
The design was previously displayed for a 3 month period in 2023, in Island Bay's Marine Education Centre, the Baithouse Aquarium.
The design's purpose was to engage the local community to consider seaweed as more than a form of food for other marine life, and was acompanied with a survey for patrons to share their thoughts.
Final Look
Details
100% Sublimated Polyester Satin
Brown and Yellow Organza
100% Cotton Lining
Acknowledgements
Lily Heuser as model
Neve Hunt as photographer
Katherine Bertram
Island Bay Marine Education Centre's Dr Victor Anderlini and Judy Hutt
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