Fashion Design
Sinead O’Brien
Cell
‘Cell’ is a response to the prevalent death of bees in recent years. My concept developed through the investigation into the various routines and daily activities of bees. Through extensive research I followed the narrative of the Queen bee who I found very fascinating and the several stages in which a bee develops. Each stage is portrayed in one of my six looks. Continuing to look at the bee evolving from larvae into a grown bee and leave its cell I started to create forms on the stand that represented this natural process. From this I began exploring creative pattern with a tailored silhouette into my designs. While keeping a tailored silhouette, I wanted to incorporate textures which related to my concept as well as creative pattern. After investigating the bee line and the bee dance I began experimenting with top stitching and quilting. By layering fabrics and stitching the layers together organically I wanted to portray the controlled process’ used by bees but also the chaotic and uncontrolled nature which we are more familiar with in bees. Looking at contemporary finishes I chose to use raw edge in some looks that shows their uncontrolled nature, while my silhouette and textures become more loose and collapsed I wanted to have a cleaner finish to portray the controlled and systematic ways that bees live and work.