Natasha Kurd
Speculative You
Wearable Electronics Studio
December 2016
Final Documentation – End of the World 3016 A.D
Concept
For my final project, I have designed a half-bodice and half-shawl for a woman who is living in the year 3016 A.D. She is also the leader of a rebel group who is fighting against the wicked antagonist machines who have taken over the world. I have taken inspiration from movies with similar storylines, such as, The Matrix (1999), Elysium (2013) and Snowpiercer (2013). All three films have a protagonist fighting the controlling “establishment” (machines and/or antagonist) who eventually overcomes the establishment by leading a group of people to their destiny.
On the lower end of the shawl portion, I am going to add a row of LED lights to line the tip of the shawl, so that the rebel leader is able to go underground and light her way to secret meetings, transport food and medicine to other members of her group, set-up traps and escape (use the tip of the shawl like a flashlight). She can also hide her “flashlight” by tucking it within her shawl. The look of the bodice is meant to reflect her status as a rebel and low-income individual; therefore it is rugged, almost falling apart, ripped and messy.
Since natural resources such as water and land are limited, there is a more emphasis on struggling for food than clothing, so the rebel leader would need to wear this bodice most of the time. In my sketchbook, I have drawn by some designs, shot it on a screen (projected my designs onto a silkscreen), then printed the edited image using opaque silver printing ink.
Materials & Parts List
Organic Cotton & Hemp – Fibre Studio
MX Dye (Reactive) Navy – Fibre Studio (Made by Apoorva Varma)
Conductive Fabric – Creatron Inc.
Conductive Thread – Creatron Inc.
Silk Ramie – Fibre Studio
LED Lights White & Red – Creatron Inc.
Resistors 100 ohm – Creatron Inc.
Silver Opaque Ink Silkscreen – G&S Dye
100% Polyester Thread – Fibre Studio
Power Source & Battery 3V – Creatron Inc.
Visual Process & Documentation
Research & Past Work & Inspiration
Martin, Paul. “Interview with Kim Barrett (Costume Designer) from The Matrix Reloaded.” Matrix Fans. WordPress, 15 Mar. 2012. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.
Vogueaustralia. “Jodie Foster Is the Best-dressed Character in Elysium, Wearing Custom Armani.” Vogue.com.au. NewsLifeMedia, 14 Aug. 2013. Web. 07 Dec. 2016.
Livery, Lord Christopher. “Snow Piercer: Q&A with Costume Designer Catherine George.” Clothes On Film. Handpicked Media, 2014. Web. 7 Dec. 2016.
Referenced past work for circuit process
Inspiration taken from The Matrix (1999) – Martin, Paul. “Interview with George Hull (Concept Illustrator) from The Matrix Reloaded (2003).” MatrixFans.net. N.p., 2 May 2012. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
Blog, B+ Movie. “Fun with Franchises: The Matrix Revolutions (2003), Part I — “The Tiny Indian Girl Became Hugo Weaving”.” B+ Movie Blog. WordPress Inc., 07 Mar. 2015. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
Inspiration taken from Elysium (2013) – Unknown. “Agent Kruger.” Villains Wikia. Fandom TV Community, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2016. http://villains.wikia.com/wiki/File:Agent_Kruger.png
Hello, Tailor. “Interview: “Snowpiercer” Costume Designer Catherine George.” Interview: “Snowpiercer” Costume Designer Catherine George. Awesome Inc., Blogger, 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 12 Dec. 2016.
Prototyping Progress
Progress Between Version 1 & Version 2
In version 1, I had mixed feelings of who to design for, the protagonist or antagonist? After spending some time playing around with draping my materials in Version 2, the idea dawned on me that it made more sense to design for the protagonist because the materials I used worked with that idea. When draping I added the silk ramie for more dimension and it was the perfect material for the ‘rugged’ look and frays easily which defined the wear and tear aspect I wanted. Originally I was just going to develop on top of Version 1 but I am glad I started a new because I think the thin material (cotton muslin) would’ve just made the design too weak and not strong enough to portray my idea. Using the MX reactive dye help define my wearable piece because almost all of the clothing in the three films are the same monochromatic tones of black, grey, dark navy, and earthy tones.
- Felt comfortable
- Stiff and rough
- easily moveable
- homeless
- hide things inside
circuit – Link to circuit diagram/layout