The Bite Magazine - issue 16

Lilly Borges-Duarte The collection is inspired by crystal forma- tions and cave formations. By undertaking an extreme caving experience, I was able to see first-hand the textures and the natural drapes of the caves.This gave me three key- words: texture, drape, and structure. The formations inspired me to drape fabrics by replicating the folds and creases that form in the caves, known as stalicmites. The textures of the caves were rough and rigid so I began manipulating the fabric by steaming structures and shapes and burning different materials. This led onto the idea of how I could grow something of my own without burning or moulding. So I began growing my own crystals - these bespoke crystals are applied to jerseys and wools throughout the collection, as well as smoth- ering structured boxes and accessories. lillyborgesdesigns@hotmail.com My research for this collection has led me to explore the design and technology of beanbag furniture and its possible influence on contemporary fashion design. The ‘Sacco’ is an example of an ‘anatomic chair’ with an amorphous nature, whose shape is set by the user and him or her becoming an integral part of the object itself.‘Sacco’, a beanbag chair was the first artifact of that kind introduced in 1968 by three Italian designers: Piero Gatti, Cesare Paolini and Franco Teodoro, who created the object during the Italian Modernism movement. Being a post war era phenomenon, Italian modernism’s design was highly inspired with new available technology by introducing new materials such as polystyrene. The amorphous quality of the bean bag chair and its low cost production started to evoke in me ideas for contemporary fashion and accessory design, whereby the wearer morphs with his or her clothes for comfort, mul- ti-purpose and practicality, by using furniture technology in a new way.Through this investigation, I also found inspi- ration from the Argentine sculptor Marta Minujin, who created soft sculptures upholstered in brightly striped furniture fabrics, as well as Ernesto Neto’s ‘Humanoid’ sculptures. My collections are not just clothes; they are a “wearable lounge” parading the streets of London into new and unknown galaxies – “Lounge Lizard” I am! www.ramlahwraich.com ramlah_wraich@hotmail.com Ramlah Wraich DESIGNER PROFILES bite fashion