maps & new.world [collections.by.jackson.cowden]

                                                                           [about.me]

I am as fascinated with technology as I am with the power of human creativity. Its an interesting intersection. I began using fashion technology late 2022 to accelerate my design process. Patternmaking, print design and the overall design and sampling process was greatly cut as a result of these new methods I had taught myself. I produced a collection during university utilising Clo3d but did not realise its full capabilities when combined in a workflow with other 3D software.

My work is inspired by almost anything I find interesting but it is driven by innovation and progression. I have a belief that we humans are still capable of great growth. We can be more. This belief drives my design, naturally leading me to fashion technology. What I used to treat as just another tool in the design process, I now realise Digital Fashion is the way forward. A way for us designers to translate ideas through digital mediums, tell stories through simulated cloth, and bring these designs to life in a much more sustainable and efficient way. 

                                       - play all videos and use sliders for full experience -

                                                                                Collection 1

                                                                                     [maps]

                                                                  [concept.&.inspiration]

I am constantly developing and challenging my design skills. Approaching my first fully digital collection I knew there would be a lot of learning and inspiration taking place during the process. Rather than the typical approach of inspiration, design then execution, I jumped straight into execution. I didnt know what was truly capable in the digital space for fashion, but I knew there would be areas that would inspire great ideas.

I restricted myself to use only one image as inspiration prior to beginning the execution. This image of Verner Panton's interior works from the 1970s.

I chose this image because it would give me reference to colour, shape, scale, perspective, light, futurism and nostalgia all within one photo.

                                                                                  [design]

From here it was straight into Clo3D. I had used this software earlier in my recent collection for university, late November 2022, (continue reading to find 'Collection 2: New World'). But I had never realised its full potential when combined in a workflow through multiple other 3D softwares. 

I just began creating. Shapes at first. Referencing the fluidity of Pantons designs, whilst creating patterns to fit the body. Something futuristic at the same time nostalgic, but nothing too far unbelievable. 

I have a love for Fantasy and Sci-Fi. It naturally came out in this design. Combining this look with metallic textures and an illustration of heat maps on the back, it was able to reference Panton's work, whilst still being its own. 

                                                                          [creative.philosophy]

The remainder of the collection focused more around wearability. It is a crucial skill in fashion. Push the boundaries, innovate but make it digestable. A huge realisation when beginning to create in a digital medium was that, most artists were wanting to use more, do more and reach as far as possible. I have been in that position before. Creating and innovating just for the sake of creation and innovation. But there is no point pushing it so far where the average consumer cannot begin to comprehend the message. That is why I began to look for ways to almost transcend the digital medium to make it more accessible and easy to digest.

Streetwear became the focal point for the remainder of the collection, bar one menswear design to pair with the first I had already created. 

                                                                               [world.building]

One of the strengths using digital mediums, is the power of world building. To showcase my designs in a fitting environment I built a world inspired by Panton's interiors.

                                                                            [phygital.world]

Progressing the idea of making digital fashion digestable to consumers, I began to experiment with compositing these designs into live footage. This merges the digital worlds we create with the physical world we live in.

                                                                            - play videos -

That concludes Collection 1: [maps]

Please continue reading to Collection 2: [new.world]

                                                                                Collection 2

                                                            [new.world][graduate.collection]

My graduate collection was a challenge set for and by myself. A challenge to capture my learnings and experience of the past 3 years of fashion education. A challenge to capture what we define as beauty. A challenge to reflect elements of both Melbourne culture, as well as my own values and beliefs, through a collection of garments. To do this, I created the brand New World.

An independent designer of womenswear inspired by punk culture and ideas of the divine feminine. Designed and manufactured in Melbourne, we embed ourselves into the city we create for. We serve to act as a projector for a greater Melbourne, reflecting the culture, accentuating the character and clothing the people.

                                                               [concept.&.inspiration]

New World’s SS23 collection is a commentary on standards of beauty, consumerism and technology. These ideas were translated using the artist Francis Bacon as a source of inspiration.

Ripped denim revealing the body capable of miracles. Golden chains forming the “Perfect” figure, displaying the imprisonment we subject to the female body. The internal screams of many women, covered by a layer of cheesecloth. Sending messages to a society that is sold their dreams through quotes on an engineered print.

“Each garment contains meaning, serving both its aesthetic purpose as well as allowing its wearer to realise, believe and embody these progressive ideas.”

                                                                                   [design]

                                                                             - use sliders -

I made 4 original prints for this collection. It needed something with character. These prints were spread across the 24 designs to create a cohesive collection.

                                                                           [range.plan]

                                                                      [physical.production]

I focused in on three of my stronger designs with the most character and meaning. From here it was almost a must to bring these designs to life. Through the program Clo3d, where I created each of the 24 digital designs I was able to replicate the process in physical form. Garment construction and design had never been so easy for me. 

                                                                                     [looks]

                                                                              - use sliders - 

                                                                      [collection.video]

Bacon painted in triptychs, "a picture or carving in three panels side by side: something composed or presented in three parts or sections."  As reference and part of the collections story, I built 3 frames to display my garments as art pieces.

Im also very inspired by the city I live in. Melbourne, Australia. The collection speaks to the way the city dresses.

                                                                                [other.work]

                                                                             [thank.you]

Thank you for spending the time to dive into my world of digital fashion. I hope you have seen some great things and can take these ideas and progress them. It has been less than 6 months trying out the digital fashion space and I can say, I look forward to sharing more and more work over the length of my design life. 

Please checkout my instagram: @jacksoncowden.3d

Jackson Cowden