THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

I am currently working on a project exploring the theme 'The Seven Deadly Sins.'  Straight away I knew a lot could be done with this theme, looking at the individual sins; Wrath, Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Greed and Sloth. All can be interpreted in different ways by using different fabric manipulation and print techniques, as well as using a range of fabrics to create a variety of effects and textures. Each sin can have its own colour mood, texture and fabric. The theme came to me whilst working, when a new range of organza fabrics came in stock. The colours being a fiery devil red, a dark royal blue, a deep emerald green, a glorious gold and a pure clean white. The idea followed at once whilst seeing how well all these colours actually complemented each other. 

I created seven colour mood boards, showing off each of the seven sins. Mood boards are a great way to get started, as they capture the mood and set the tone for the project ahead. They are also great to present ideas to others and  helps to communicate the intentions for the project. These mood boards also show where my inspiration for the theme came from. The work of Alexander McQueen, Jean Paul Gaultier and  Zuhair Murad have all inspired the theme and have given me great ideas. All of these designers have the most delicate, yet heavily embroided, fabric manipulated and textual pieces.  All are so elegant and show off the amount of time each one has taken.

ZUHAIR MURAD

ALEXANDER MCQUEEN

SEAN PAUL GAULTIER

These three garments fit in perfectly and are great inspiration for the theme.  They all show depth by using layers and by the building up of fabrics. Zuhair Murad's design fits in well with the sin Pride due to the use of bird feathers. The layered feathers add volume and a light 'floaty' feel. Alexander McQueen has also used feathers, however a totally different effect has been created. It has a fiery dangerous feel to it, relating well to the sin Wrath. The use of colour really helps by the way it starts a fiery red then becomes black, giving the garment an angry feel.

The theme of ‘The Seven Deadly Sins’ does not obviously involve objects, instead are more feelings and moods. This gives the chance for all the techniques and fabrics to create these moods in an abstract way. 

To see what samples have been created from being

inspired by The Seven Deadly Sins and the designers above, visit again for the next TEXTURED post. 

Joelle

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