AVO

Biophilia // is the urge to affiliate with other forms of life. We have an innate love, affinity and appreciation for nature. >> AVO juxtaposes digital design with tactile human engineered ecosystems integrated into casual athleisure garments, reconnecting its virtual and IRL consumers with the outdoors. >> Biophilic design is an evidence based approach to architectural and interior design, increasing connection to the natural environment. Series 1 challenges the constraints of conventional RTW design, applying biophilic design principles and exploring the possibilities of biomaterials within textiles.

For the final illustrations, I played around with rendering ideas, and landed on a mixed media approach. The silhouettes are drawn manually with graphite, scanned in and collaged with various scanned magazine clippings. The depth in the images and text help to bring texture to the illustrations, naturally creating light and shadow. The portraits are also drawn manually on canvas, when composed on top they breathe life into the illustration, complementing but not detracting.

The circular and sustainable aspect challenged me to utilise end of roll, damaged, and renewable materials, this naturally built the colour palette and ensured all textiles were considered.

My digital skills have also been pushed this project, designing and rendering 3 final outfits within CLO3D was quite challenging but equally rewarding. I have learnt various new skills within not only CLO3D, but Gerber and Photoshop. My confidence in using these applications is much stronger now, I can seamlessly transfer from one app to another, adapting patterns, and editing rendered pictures.

Using specialist software: CLO3D and Gerber Accumark I designed garments and developed patterns, resulting in stunning virtual garments that can effortlessly be manufactured physically, offering consumers the unique opportunity to have a physical garment with a digital twin, the first look in my collection clearly demonstrates this. This nuanced virtual approach to design significantly reduces waste within the toiling/ sampling stage, the pinnacle objective of my concept.

Using the Fur texture and playing around with the properties, I successfully rendered a textural layer that mimics fur when rendered.

The biophilia concept is visually communicated through the integration of the cress plants, the seeds are scattered onto porous linen fabric and misted with cool water, within days the seeds sprout initially appearing white and gelatinous. Their growth is rapid, and by day 4 the seedlings are noticeably longer and when exposed to light they photosynthesise turning a mossy green colour. By day 7-10 the shoots are their tallest, and within the right moist conditions can reach up to 10 cm in height. The layer of cress creates depth and textural interest, mimicking a tall green fur, with a pleasant earthy smell.

I find exploded views are both visually appealing and provide a clear technical insight to the construction of the garments

AVO - Virtual Catwalk.

Designed by Simone James (Myself)

Rendering and Animated by Natalija Siukstiene (3rd party)