In Orbit

Shoot

2010-09-23T04:28:00.001-07:00

Here are the photos from a shoot using garments stocked in The Fleet Store. The shoot is several weeks old now, so all stock is sold out!

Thanks to Chris and Steph for making this happen.

Photography: Chris Proud

Model: Steph

Clothes: Maya Sundari

Final garments and more...

2010-09-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

Just a quick visual update on what's been happening in the studio:

the Galaxy Skirt in flat form...

and almost finished... (note, no stitching seen on the outside, check out that clean hem!)

Some experimenting with aquaseal - a special contact adhesive used to repair wetsuits...

I'm using aquaseal to attach the zips in my garments.

a sneak peek at what's to come with the Lunar Shirt...

and another before and after shot of the Zero Gravity skirt in lavender neoprene....dreamy!

Printed mesh for the pleated pants...

Swarovski moons and stars... to be made into zipper pulls (like a bejeweled wetsuit!)

SHOES ARRIVED FOR THE SHOW!

they are so perfect!

And finally, some external pastel influence in my life :)

head above water

2010-08-29T06:09:00.000-07:00

With all the collection sampling and final garment constructing, I have found it refreshing to look elsewhere for a creative boost... stepping out of my own bubble for a few moments I came across some amazing artwork by Eibatova Karina - a Russian artist (illustration/fine art).

And more... a New York based womenswear surf label Pret-a-surf, creating surf attire with a refreshing angle - no boring or embarrassing rashies here! Working with neoprene and mesh in my final collection has tripled my fondness for stretch garments.

Final collection board

2010-08-06T20:51:00.001-07:00

This is it, no more design 'adjustments'. With only 2 months to go, and with all my sample garments completed it's time to move on with final garments. Very exciting! Below is my finalised collection board (illustrations to be improved for my portfolio) and a closer look the individual outfits that make up my collection. (The blank areas of the design illustrations indicate print, yet to be illustrated).

Available at The Fleet Store

2010-08-02T04:44:00.000-07:00

The Fleet Store is now stocking Maya Sundari! Head in-store to check out the following styles, and many more from emerging Brisbane designers.

The Fleet Store is located on Level 2, Wintergarden

Brisbane, Australia, 4000

Phone:

0468.846.202

Tues - Thurs:

9:00 am - 5:30 pm

Fri:

9:00 am - 9:00 pm

Sat:

9:00 am - 4:30 pm

Sun:

11:00 am - 4:00 pm

Fleet and Lunar Lingerie

2010-07-26T07:08:00.001-07:00

The Fleet Store was featured in the Sunday Mail on the weekend... exciting! (That's my blue neoprene circle skirt on the middle left)

Quick studio update: I have been sampling some thigh-high stockings, realising the necessity of a back seam is not such a bad thing. In fact, I really like back-seam stockings. Here is a rough toile below to figure out the construction... the final pair will be in stretch mesh (nurturing my current 'obmeshion') with a band of pastel and white stars circling the upper thigh. Pictures of the final product coming soon!

Above: Using a compass to draw the shapes of the lunar calender for the mesh thigh-highs

Above: A sample of the star inserts in mesh tights

Fighting evil by moonlight, winning love by daylight

2010-07-21T06:34:00.000-07:00

Some late night you-tubing and reminiscing of my favourite show as a kid... Sailor Moon. I only just remembered this old obsession!
After re-watching a few episodes now, I think I know where my love for space and pastels may have subconsciously arisen from...

And finally, some clarification on some design changes I have made... small yet significant.

Fleet

2010-07-19T06:40:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick visual update on what I have been up to over the 'holidays'... I am busy getting garments ready for the opening of The Fleet Store in Brisbane's Wintergarden. Such a great initiative to be involved in as an emerging designer in Brisbane (click on the above link to check out the Facebook page, read about the pop-up store and the many talented local designers whose products will be stocked in-store very soon!).

No photographs of finished garments yet, but just a sneak peak at what is to come.

Voyage to the planets

2010-06-01T21:06:00.000-07:00

The documentary series 'Voyage to the Planets' is on ABC at the moment, it's a stunning and visually beautiful series that takes you on a journey to a different planet each week. You can watch 'Voyage to the Planets' online at ABC iView

Print development

2010-05-29T19:44:00.000-07:00

Despite the fact that my photoshop skills are extremely rudimentary (consisting only of: Copy, Paste, Rotate, Opacity) I have managed to create some images that I feel are a more refined step towards my final prints for the collection.

It's just something I did really quickly, so there will definitely be improvements before I get to the final image to be printed. My favourite is the last image. It would look great on the mesh dress worn over the lingerie...

Pastel sky

2010-05-26T17:58:00.000-07:00

Photograph from my bedroom window,

...and my colour palette

In Orbit - collection board update

2010-05-24T21:32:00.000-07:00

Since the previous design selection assessment and the arrival of my neoprene, I have re-thought and re-designed my collection.
As a reminder, this (below) was the original collection board:
I was unsure of how the neoprene would behave when it came to sampling the garments. Once I got my hands on it and its 4-way stretch, I decided to embrace the stretch rather than fight it to make tailored/structured garments - like the cropped jacket, above left. This is one of the reasons for the evolution into mostly stretch garments. I will post photos of my samples on the models we had for assessment yesterday as soon as I get them off the studio camera.

Here's some details on the individual designs:

Cropped shirt in white cotton organdy (below: back view showing circular 'moon' cut out)

Skirt in printed organza - circle skirt base with repeated gradating circles sewn on top.

Raglan sleeve dress in white neoprene with crescent and star laser cut-outs. Shorts in printed stretch mesh worn underneath.

Lingerie set in white neoprene with white mesh overlay in panels. Crescent Swarovksi crystal bead at the centre of the bra. Underwear have a crescent seam detail at the back.

Maxi dress in printed mesh, lose fit with extended arm holes and racer back. Tights in jumbo spandex with crescent seam detail at the front.

Cropped jacket in neoprene with an exposed zip at the front at large 'tuck' sleeves. Skirt in printed duchess satin.

Dress in lavender neoprene with printed mesh inserts at the front and in the sleeves.

Neoprene and prints

2010-05-01T02:08:00.000-07:00

I didn't think I could get so excited about a package arriving. When I went to Sydney last week, I received this picture message from my housemates and couldn't wait to get back to Brisbane to get my hands on its contents...

"You've got package love!"

The box contained my fabric order that I had been waiting on to begin sampling: neoprene, mesh and spandex.

It was exciting to get the neoprene in particular as it is pretty much impossible to find a similar fabric to sample in - a thick 4-way stretch fabric (think wetsuit material) is definitely not stocked in Spotlight.

For some reason, the white is significantly thinner than the colours, and the black is the thickest. This will effect the fit of the garment, and I will soon see how and in what way.

These Neoprene colours are what my dreams are made of. My recently developed aversion to black clothes and the fact that the black Neoprene feels to thick and rubbery has helped my decision to avoid black in my final collection. Therefore, I have some 'design development' to do, which I knew would happen anyway as my drawing skills sometimes don't effectively communicate the 2D to 3D.

Prints:

More exciting developments! My fabric prints are done and look amazing! The quality is better than I expected and the colours are true to the photograph.

The beginnings of a circle skirt using the polyester satin fabric.

The printed mesh provoked poetic ideas... 'a window into the night sky' (neoprene cutout over printed stretch mesh)

Now I know of the quality of the prints, I will get many more meters of both the mesh and satin printed. Now the hard part will be choosing and modifying the images for printing. I aim to rework the images to make them more refined and with less colour variance.

I am hoping that the prints will add depth to my collection, giving it a more personal and unique touch than just block colours.

Sydney:

My trip to Sydney last week proved useful for ideas on garment construction using neoprene... unexpected yet useful ideas! The Cynthia Rowley for Roxy stand in David Jones gave me the chance to look at construction using neoprene. This was very helpful, as I have mostly worked with woven fabrics to make garments, and was finding it difficult to understand how I would construct the garments using neoprene and stretch wear sewing techniques.

Apologies for the bad photographs, I was sneaking them with my iphone...

Swimwear for the fashion-consious surfer girl...

Nice use of pastels Cynthia!

Cover stitched leg opening

The inside of the garment appeared to be glued or bonded together

Feature binding

Seamless zipper

Raw-edge sleeve finish

Colour:

The Australian Museum in Sydney had an exhibition on crystals and minerals...such beautiful colours and forms found in nature.

pastel combinations with white... thank you universe!

In Orbit

2010-04-22T15:15:00.000-07:00

In Orbit - By Maya Sundari

Spring/Summer 2011

In Orbit represents my interpretation of orbital paths in space. The collection could be seen as a representation of clothes that orbit the body... either at a safe and regulated distanc eor close and comforting. The concept of space as close and comforting can be likened to our own familiar milky way galaxy that we see every night, appearing slightly different each time, but always softly fluid and gently sparkling.

That above photo is taken from el fotopakismo's flicker photostream - http://www.flickr.com/photos/fotopakismo/2907866048/

My collection In Orbit is futuristc yet feminine, interpreting the cyber/galactic influence in a soft and inviting way - not cold and hard which is how it is often seen in fashion. I want to achieve this through a combination of a pastel colour palette and designs that are rounded, floaty or voluminous. In Orbit is positive, colourful and fun... it's clothes that make you want to move and twirl. I hope that this collection will provide a reconnection with our universe that I feel is often missing from our everyday lives.

Colour palette and inspiration source:

Design selection on Monday went well and I'm looking forward to the next steps(sssssss). Next on the 'To Do' list is to get images and fabric sent to the printers for my digital fabric print samples and order some neoprene to start sampling.

Sunday is not a day of rest.

2010-04-18T00:13:00.001-07:00

My Sunday (as usual) was not a day of rest like it should be...although I did enjoy spray painting ping pong balls to use for my presentation tomorrow. For some reason, I always find spray painting very satisfying.

To explain: I am going to (eventually) make hollow sterling silver balls to attach to the hemline of one or two garments in my collection to represent planets on an orbital path. This will be my complimentary project this year - called 'Wandering Stars'. The word 'planet' comes from the Greek term 'planetes' meaning 'wanderer' as ancient astronomers noticed how certain lights moved across the night sky. They called these lights 'asteres planetai' or 'wandering stars'.

Below shows some initial inspiration for the project:

Some scans of my sketches of some initial ideas on construction and application:

And the ping-pong ball substitute... workin' the hemline.

Finally... my rough toile for one of the 'outfits':

I will need to get my final fabric to move forward with toiling, as I am using neoprene (in this case, for the jacket) and finding it difficult to find a suitable substitute that drapes and handles in the same way. Overall, I am happy with the garments, although adjustments will have to be made to achieve my ideal form and shape.

up!

2010-04-15T23:30:00.001-07:00

A taste of my soundtrack for illustrating...

...and of how it's all going (I sometimes use my bed for sleeping...)

I'm happy with how the collection is starting to look. I will be posting pictures of my first toiles soon.

The Cosmic Romantic

2010-04-14T15:45:00.000-07:00

Concept Board Update: New and Improved!

Late last night (or early this morning) I finalised my designs and started the rough illustrations. Pinning these six 'outfits' onto my cork-board gave me a good idea of how the garments work with each other and some minor changes were made to make the collection stronger. I like to pin my design sketches and fabric sample cards onto my cork-board as I believe that every second that I am looking at them - or can see them out of the corner of my eye - gets my brain subconsciously thinking about design development and new ideas or direction.

This happened while I tried to sleep. My mind's eye was searching and criticising my designs and fabric in an attempt to sum up the over-all atmosphere of my collection...and I think it got somewhere. I see my collection as orbiting planets interpreted into clothes that 'orbit' the body - either at a safe and even distance, or close...either way is comforting.

Rather than being dark, scary, cold and lonely, to me space is an ethereal, dreamlike space of weightless orbit.... the immeasurable vastness of your surroundings fuels the imagination and makes you feel like anything is possible - there are no boundaries. Surrounded by the pastel and vibrant colours of nebulla and star formation...witnessing eclipsing planets and the colours that are only seen because our sun radiates light... I guess I am somewhat a 'cosmic romantic'.

The above images are some examples of what I want to get digitally printed onto silk and mesh to use in (small) parts of my collection. I am in the process of having samples done now to see how they look. The beautiful colours and forms will create a cosmic atmosphere and give depth to my collection.

Fabric, colours, silhouette, design...

2010-04-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

These are the topics that have been occupying the majority of my consciousness since my last post. Although it seems obvious, I have just realised the absolute importance of the combination of these factors - fabric, colours, silhouette and design - to allow me to move forward in the development of my collection. Fabric and colour research has been a huge help to my designing process. There came a point when 2D pencil sketches weren't communicating what I felt the was at the heart of my collection. Not knowing the possibilities of materials out there made me feel limited and a little lost. Looking into fabric properties such as drape has seen enabled my collection's silhouette(s) to emerge, and my designs really evolve to contain more detail and to generally be more 'real'.

Here are scans of my fabric samples so far:

Neoprene
Jumbo Spandex
Athletic Mesh
Stretch Mesh
Nylon/Spandex

Polyester/Spandex

I have investigated the types stretch-wear that I may use first, as I am more unfamiliar with it than woven fabrics in silk or cotton. The colour range great and I am confident with my findings so far. I am still waiting on some samples of duchess silk satin and chiffon which I plan on combining with the stretch fabrics within single garments or in the creation of an 'outfit'.

Trying to communicate the silhouette for my collection is difficult without posting pictures of my designs - which I am not ready to do yet! As my scanner has decided to permanently go to sleep (well, it is after midnight...) I will attempt to explain:

Basic shapes will be triangular - a combination of upright and up-side-down. Triangular silhouettes will be interrupted by curved 'eclipsing' lines in the form of cropped tee's and orbital hemlines.

My attempt to sum up the 'mood' or 'atmosphere' of my collection has been a continuous inner struggle that sounds like "Is it Cyber Woman? no, too nerdy. 'Spacey'? no. Galactic? Definitely not." I'm sure the right words will appear soon. Hopefully before Monday when I have to present... this and many things including completed designs and proposed fabrics.

Meanwhile, in the studio...I have found that toiling with calico isn't going to be accurate enough for the type of fabrics I want to use in the final garment. This has sped up the intensity of my fabric sourcing ventures to the point of purchase. Exciting!

Gravity gone mad

2010-03-30T23:23:00.000-07:00

Watching documentaries on the universe is a sure way to make you feel unbelievably tiny and insignificant in relation to.... well... the universe itself. Despite the fact that my existence is now burdened with overwhelming feelings of unimportance and triviality, I am getting great enjoyment and inspiration from these documentaries. Here are some clips from my latest favourites (NB. watching documentaries like these is not recommended before you start your day, as everything you do will seem a little pointless, and you will have thoughts like ''...but why do I even care about going to that class? I am merely a tiny piece of nothing in the scheme of things... think about supermassive black holes... think about the rarity of life in the universe!" Or maybe that's just me.)

Animated model of a black hole - stills from Part 1 Super Massive Black Holes BBC Horizon.

After those feelings of insignificance wear off, it's back to to task at hand - my graduate collection. Black hole formation and diagrams are something I find inspiring, and could be translated to garment construction in an interesting way. I would like to try experimenting with a more abstract approach to pattern making that could visually (and obviously, simply) reflect the warp in space time that a black hole creates.

The Japanese pattern book 'Pattern Magic' offers an abstract approach to pattern making that the Japanese are renowned for. This book has changed the way I think about pattern making, and has broadened my ideas on the shape and form of a garment... really pushing the 3D element of design.

A black hole is simply 'gravity gone mad'. This dress (below) from 'Pattern Magic' mimics the model of a black hole.

Creating 3D geometry and sculptural folds in garments is something I am currently experimenting with in the studio. I am taking inspiration from this method of pattern making and applying it to my designs to visually reflect the orbital, spherical and planetary aspects of my concept.

I will post outcomes of my experimentation soon...

Digital Artwork by Andy Gilmore

2010-03-25T14:54:00.000-07:00

Andy Gilmore's artwork will suck you into a vortex of swirling colours and transport you to a parallel universe...

Have a look at Andy Gilmore's blog to see some more...

"Out of The Cradle, Endlessly Orbiting..."

2010-03-25T04:31:00.000-07:00

A visually inspiring and sensory masterpiece - Stanley Kubrick's film 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968). In my opinion, one of the greatest films ever made, 2001: A Space Odyssey is an experience far beyond the time of its release.

A science fiction film that explores themes of human evolution, artificial intelligence and extraterrestrial life.

Scientific realism, pioneering special effects and ambiguous use of special effects creates other-worldly surrealism.

The following are stills from 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Radial Geometry

Perspective

Contrast

Separation

Endless darkness and blinding life

Spherical

Luminous Crescents

The following images are stills from the famous 'Star-gate' sequence showing futuristic and tripped out coloured lights that mesmerise you and almost suck you into the screen. The scene is achieved through split-scan photography of moving images of paintings.

Check out the scene (for some reason - probably because of my amazing technology skills - the clip is smaller in size than actual screen size, so double click on it to view full screen)...

The following images represent that feeling of total immersion... enhanced by the combination of intoxicating brights and textural experimentation that extend this sensory experience into the fashion realm.

Outer-space and galactic obsession ... not geeky!

Above: Inside cover from Oyster Magazine Issue 82, 2009

Above: Peter Pilotto dress and pants showing printed star-scapes. From Oyster Magazine, Issue 80, 2009.

The above images are from Oyster Magazine issue 83, 2009. Dress and belts (worn as jewelry) by Rachel Sherwood.

From Armani Prive Spring/Summer 2010 couture collection. Georgio Armani was inspired by the moon in a fun, light-hearted way and the show was blindingly lunar.

Back in Orbit

2010-03-22T06:40:00.000-07:00

Forces of Inertia and Gravity have to be perfectly balanced for orbit to occur.

Revisiting the concept of orbital pathways... I came across some inspiring images:

From The British Journal of Photography 25, 2009. Untitled, Weimer, 1923-1925

Neckpiece by Iris Van Herpen from Oyster Magazine, Issue 79, 2009.

Saturn - From 'Heaven & Earth - Unseen by the Naked Eye' Phaidon Press Ltd. 2007

Bodysuit by Manish Arora.

Gravity

A natural phenomenon, a fundamental interaction of nature that controls the existence of life as we know it. The equal forces of attraction and repulsion prevents collision and destruction of planetary masses. Similarly, clothing can literally be forces of attraction yet immediate boundaries that prevent the raw, physical closeness between human bodies.

Celestial Mapping

2010-03-22T03:59:00.000-07:00

A continuation of conceptual research must develop before the design process can begin.

Constellations come from our human tendency to draw imaginary lines between objects to create familiar shapes that we can recognize... essentially, it is our attempt to make sense of the immeasurable vastness that is our universe.

Mapping and plotting are concepts that can transfer to pattern making and garment construction. Essentially, a pattern is a mapped area that corresponds to coordinates of the body to create a familiar shape such as a sleeve or collar.

Orbital

2010-03-22T01:34:00.000-07:00

In celestial mechanics, an orbit is the gravitationally curved path of an object around a central point. 'Orbiting' and the orbital path of planets in our solar system is a central focus of my concept, used as inspiration to develop shape, form and silhouette in design.

Above: This illustration is from Kepler's 'Astronomia Nova' - published in 1609

It shows the orbit of Mars from Earth's perspective.

Above: A diagram of the same orbital path of Mars from Earth's

perspective produced with the modern computer program 'Sirius'.

Planet Mandalas are a visual representation of the movement of different planets in orbit. The computer program 'Sirius' maps these orbits to create an image that essentially connects astronomy and art.

Concept Development and Colour Direction:

Below is a rough 'concept board' I made to communicate my inspiration and concept angle.

Orbiting spheres controlled and directed by gravitational forces

Above: Colour Board

Above: Accent Colour Board

Wandering Stars

2010-03-21T23:34:00.000-07:00

Neptune - From 'Heaven & Earth - Unseen by the Naked Eye' Phaidon Press Ltd. 2007

As humans, our obsession with the night sky is ancient and modern. Regardless of impressive advances in technology that has resulted in knowledge of our universe, there remains a mystery and intrigue of the unknown that is both inspiring and frightening.

The word 'planet' comes from the greek term 'πλάνητες ἀστέρες' meaning 'wandering stars'. Ancient Greek astronomers noticed that certain lights moved about the night sky in in comparison to other stars, and thus the poetic term 'wandering stars' was born.

All pre-modern societies believed the stars and planets circled the Earth, and the Earth was the centre of the universe.

Printed rendition of a geocentric cosmological model from Cosmographia, Antwerp, 1539

From a design perspective, the concentric rings of this model immediately appeal to me. The gradual, circular and repetitive visual elements reflect the planetary movements of what was once thought to be undisputed knowledge: Geocentricism - the Earth at the Centre of the Universe.

Above: Illustration of the Ptolemaic (Geocentric) system of astrology. By Andres Cellarius, 1660.

In the Geocentric model, the Earth was believed to remain totally still whilst the planets, stars and sun circled it

Above: Geocentricism was overthrown by Helioentricism in the 16th Century.

Copernicus and Galileo discovered that the planets circled the sun. ('Helios' meaning 'Sun' in Greek)

Above: The Greek astronomer, philosopher and mathematician Aristarchus of Samos [ circa 310 B.C. - 230 B.C. ] first proposed a heliocentric model of the universe about 1,700 years before Copernicus. He is best known for his pioneering attempts to determine the sizes of and distances to the moon and sun.

The sheer antiquity of this curious nature we possess to understand our universe is of great interest to me. These diagrams show humanity's development of the knowledge of our existence on here on Earth. Although basic in geometric shape and form, the development they signify is far from the previous beliefs of geocentricism and the idea that the Earth was flat.

The models (above) show my initial inspiration in terms of shape, form and silhouette in design. To continue and expand, however, research into planetary orbits is the next step.

Sensory bright, Infinite dark.

2010-03-21T02:36:00.000-07:00

The purchase of my new favourite book 'Heaven & Earth - Unseen by the Naked Eye' (Phaidon Press inc. 2007) saw the beginning of my obsession with with images of space. Simple and out-dated it may seem, space does not cease to amaze and inspire me.

With sensory brights and infinite darks, it is not just the celestial colours and organic shapes that appeal...these images show the beauty of the vast unknown of the universe. To me, they are a reminder of the scientific miracle this is life and the chance occurrence that is our existence here on Earth.

Rather than referencing past eras or designers as inspiration for my final collection, I am inspired by science and scientific thought. Despite the fact that I am definitely not a scientist (although I did complete just one year of a medical science degree) I believe science can present a deeper perspective on the familiarities of daily existence.

It began in Africa

2010-03-20T23:36:00.000-07:00

This blog will track the development of my graduate collection project for the final year of my degree in Fine Arts - Fashion at QUT, Brisbane QLD.

Like our ancestors, my initial inspiration for my final year collection came from Africa. Going 'tribal' with geometric brights and animals prints was not my angle, but rather something a little more obscure: Voodoo.

To many, the word ‘Voodoo’ may conjure up images of sticking pins into dolls or casting evil curses on your enemies using black magic and sorcery. However, this is not a true representation of what Voodoo is about.

Voodoo, meaning ‘spirit’ developed from what is considered to be the world’s most ancient, ancestral, nature honouring traditions coming from Africa. The belief is in a single divine creator and a cascading hierarchy of spirits called ‘Vodun’ that control the forces of nature and human society.

Visual inspiration appeared in the form of Veve: ritual diagrams drawn during the Voodoo ceremony, believed to harness planetary powers and oblige a Voodoo spirit to descend to earth to possess the body of the Voodooist.

Here are some examples of Voodoo Veve:

Visually, these primitive diagrams were inspirational in terms of form, symmetry, geometry and symbolism. Symbolism being the key aspect here, as I am very interested in the Voodoo belief that these Veve's are representations of astral forces and essentially act to harness planetary powers to affect mortal human life.

Originally, my final collection was to be inspired by eight of these Veve's and the spirit each one represents... to be translated into individual garments or 'outfits'. I soon realised, however, that my interest seemed to stray from Voodoo and become focused on human's ancient 'obsession' with the planets and stars.

Moon And Stars - Photograph by Gale Cochrane-Smith

The sun, planets and stars were worshipped as Gods and Goddesses for centuries. Constellations were (and still are) used to explain personality traits of people born at certain times of the year. Astrology and Astronomy have roots in ancient Greece, China, India and most civilizations throughout history.

The Sun:

Our light and our lives.

The creator and eventual destroyer of life.

For millions of years, the sun was as close as we got to staring into the face of God. Worshipped throughout history for its life-giving powers, the sun's familiar presence in the sky is life itself as we know it.

Planets, stars and the immeasurable vastness of our universe is so deeply intriguing and mystifying... a hold on humanity that will never fade. This idea is what will form the basis of my final collection this year.