25 / 32
25
ST EDWARD’S CHRONICLE
Matilda Mann
Fashion designers survive by coming up
with new ideas. Those influenced by street
art such as Louis Vuitton have been quick
to exploit the rebellious and often political
power of street culture in their designs. The
current generation now more than ever are
creating designs that question society and use
controversial ideas to force the audience or
wearer to question their politics and morals.
‘
Street Art in Fashion
’ is my final Extended
Project Qualification (EPQ) title. I wrote
a 2000-word essay and created an outfit
consisting of a jacket, top and skirt. I
wanted to be controversial and to express
my views clearly in my design. After looking
at the work of street artists such as Lady
Aiko and Banksy, who are heavily influenced
by society and the world around them, I
decided to attack racism, gender inequality
and Donald Trump.
The top I created is a simple blue ruched
bandeau, converted from the waistband
of a skirt, whilst my skirt is an adapted
pair of jeans. Inserted in the middle
seams of the jeans is a multi-coloured
fabric, chosen to symbolise gay pride and
gender fluidity. Around the material are
the words: ‘Achievement has no colour’,
a quote by Abraham Lincoln. I used the
stereotypical graffiti font to highlight the
fact that street art was my main influence.
I bought the denim jacket from New Look
and proceeded to embroider the outline
of a cartoon face of Trump, making sure
that I accentuated his features to make him
instantly recognisable. I then painted in the
hair, as well as adding ‘WARNING’ on the
cuffs in red and on the top of the jacket in
white. The same graffiti font was used to
unite the pieces of clothing. I wanted to
make it very clear that I believe that Trump
is an uncertainty and that everyone should
be wary of what he will do in the future.
I really enjoyed the EPQ, especially the
jacket which I intend to replicate. I would
never have known that I have this passion
were it not for my undertaking the EPQ.
I am very satisfied with what I achieved in
my overall product and I have a far greater
understanding of graffiti as an art form
and the influence street art has on fashion
designers today.
Matilda was previously at Pinewood.