More Progress With the Paper Garment

Iv'e started attaching all the strips that I've made so far and I've been trying it on my model, Skye! Thanks for helping me Skye! Here are some pictures:   

The main problem that I am working on fixing is attaching the strips, so far I've been using small pieces of tracing paper and hot glue and it has been working pretty well (except for the burns I've been getting on my fingers...) I think I need to add more of these links in order to strengthen the wax paper which is stretching more and more. There are also gaps that need to be brought together. This has changed from y original design but hopefully it will come together just as nicely!

Also check out this fabulous dress also inspired by cocoons:

Hand Crocheted and designed by isabella Lundberg 

Picture Time! Progress, slow slow progress

Here are some pictures of my progress, it may not look like much but it will come together quickly! It's just all the small detail orientated preparations that I've been having to do first. These are some of the mock ups for the shape of my cocoon.  It will like a long shaw with a hood of some sort. my plan is to have three sections that run diagonal around the body, like this one:

This was the first version of the hood, but this is not the pattern that I will be using, in the end the hood will be a series of connected hoops. This hood is too stiff and structured, and reminds me too much of an astronaut! It also does not connect well with the body of the piece. 

To make up the body of the piece I am folding long strips of  wax paper to look the the one below:

Here they are compressed, they sort of look like butterflies!

These are in the folding process. Look up Origami Tessellations for some amazing art using similar techniques!

In the end its a lot of work and is kind of slow but I'm confident the result is going to be awesome!

Inspired By Nature

I Our final assignment in 3d class is to make one of three things: A paper toy, a paper lamp or a art to wear piece completely made out of paper. I chose to challenge myself and do something I would probably never choose to do outside of class. I chose to make an art to wear piece! It reminds me of the challenges on Project Runway.

Project Runway: Paper challenge

At first my idea was to make a jacket out of tracing paper and old record covers. My professor encouraged me to think more abstractly and more concept based though and now I am going a completely   new direction with my garment, its not going to be as functional. My teacher told me to research words like body-covering, shelter and protection, to get a different perspective on art to wear. I researched and researched and finally came up with a concept I love. Cocoons! Butterfly cocoons fascinate me, they are not only beautiful but mysterious as they hide the transformation going on inside it. They also provide support and protection for the butterfly for a small amount of time, but to us they are very fragile. I want mimic these attributes in my art to wear piece. Here are some pictures for inspiration:

Aren't they just fascinating?