Alyssa specialises in Knitwear for womenswear fashion. Her collection was inspired by movement and distortion using photography as an element to visually process ideas. I was particularly drawn to the delicacy of Alyssa's knitted garment and samples and how she incorporated woven fabrics with her knitted designs, creating original feel to her collection. I feel her work is similar to the way I like my knitted samples to look and feel, focussing strongly on yarn choices and placement.
The samples that Alyssa had on display at the MMU Degree were light and delicate. She specialises in using desirable yarns such as silk, viscose and mercerised cotton knitted on 12 and 10 gauge machinery. In my previous 2nd year project 'locating', I found strengths on this machinery and developed a desire for finely knitted designs. I was particularly drawn to Alyssa's mock rib inlay sample, with fine yarn that gradients from purple to blue to rust. I enjoyed how bold this technique was to the eye, yet the fine yarns lock in the sensitivity of the sample. Researching on alyssagucci.co.uk I learnt that her yarns are hand dyed. I love the strength of colour in her designs and this has really inspired me to dye my yarns in third year in order to achieve the exact colours I desire and give my designs more originality.
Eden Lysette Blaber
Specialising in fabrics for fashion, Eden is a hand weaver who produces work which is energetic, responding to visual catalysts and chaos. I have always loved construct in textile design yet I find my passion in Knitwear over Weave, however I was fascinated by these woven fabrics made by Eden when visiting MMU degree show.
What I enjoyed about these samples were the chaos in them, yet communicated so neatly through carefully selected colour choices, materials and yarns. Looking closely it appears that the majority of yarn type used is mercerised cotton, which has a sheen and desirable finish. I was particularly drawn to the linear qualities within the designs. Shape and elements of line are a focus for visual inspiration in my work, yet are not as energising as Edens', therefore I would like to try and energise my work slightly in third year, while still communicating space and simplicity - perhaps through bolder colour application and placement. The use of embellishment and embroidery has inspired me to think about exploring new processes in Knit throughout third year. As an A Level student heavy embellishment was a strong focus in my textile designs, seeing how successfully beading works within woven designs I am inspired to try this when finishing off knitted samples in third year.
Eden Lysette Blaber
Specialising in fabrics for fashion, Eden is a hand weaver who produces work which is energetic, responding to visual catalysts and chaos. I have always loved construct in textile design yet I find my passion in Knitwear over Weave, however I was fascinated by these woven fabrics made by Eden when visiting MMU degree show.
What I enjoyed about these samples were the chaos in them, yet communicated so neatly through carefully selected colour choices, materials and yarns. Looking closely it appears that the majority of yarn type used is mercerised cotton, which has a sheen and desirable finish. I was particularly drawn to the linear qualities within the designs. Shape and elements of line are a focus for visual inspiration in my work, yet are not as energising as Edens', therefore I would like to try and energise my work slightly in third year, while still communicating space and simplicity - perhaps through bolder colour application and placement. The use of embellishment and embroidery has inspired me to think about exploring new processes in Knit throughout third year. As an A Level student heavy embellishment was a strong focus in my textile designs, seeing how successfully beading works within woven designs I am inspired to try this when finishing off knitted samples in third year.
