individual theme description and silhouette ideas

Within the 'Creature of Reverie' theme for our Spring/Summer 09 collection, i have been developing my own 'sub-theme' based around the Misericordes ballet i have already discussed on the blog. Throughout the ballet the bodies create symmetry; they mimic each other and there is a repatition of movements. Arms and legs warp around each other, while contrasting with strong, angled lines and movements across the stage. I will use this focus on line; shape; symmetry; mimic; and repatition throughout the drop (3 stories) i design. The pas de deux (the section of choreography i have chosen to use from the ballet) has this raw emotion; it is an expression of love; passion; sensuality but with it there is a sense of sadness; of longing that comes with the an intense love. Misericordes is a modern ballet and so the choreography is very much about the movement; the dancers and their interaction/the shapes they create with their bodies. There are no sets/back-drops and the costumes, although have a traditional apperance, they are in very muted colours/tones - it creates this almost dream-like experience; as though you are viewing something undiscovered; something very personal. Considering all of these aspects, as well as the nature of the overall theme i have considered/researched word association to create a name:

- misericorde = graciousness - graceful - fluid - effortless - aesthetic - elegant - anodit

= has a dream-like mood - mesmerising - hypnotic - sommferious - sommolent (sleep-to cause sleep) - anodyne (soothing to the mind or feelings)

- mood of the piece = desire - passion - intensity - ardor - audity - warmth

= responsive - response - echo - influence - sway; impression

= physicallity - animalism (animality) - sensuality

I have come up with two possible names that i like: "Anodyne" OR "Echoes of Sonnolence"

I have begun to look at the points to consider when creating a collection to try to create some direction but also to show how it links into the 'Creature of Reveire' theme.

General: - line that follows/continues around the body

- mix/contrast of angled/diagonal line with shapes/lines that mimic the softness circular nature of wrapping of arms and legs around the body/head/shoulders.

- symmety/balance in line coming from the centre of the body and use of repatition of line.

Fabrics: - fabrications are going to depend a little bit on what everyone as a group decides and what is available; i will be able to specify the fabrics after our group fabric shopping trip on tuesday HOWEVER

- believe that because of the market positioning of the label and target market profile, fabrics should generall reflect high quality

- would like to have a mesh (elastine?) and a silk satin (matte and lustre)

Colour: - obviously relates to the 'Creature of Reverie' colour palette and the colour proportions

Details: - use of sheer and opaque fabrics to define line and reflect the feeling of exposure/openess/bareness of the mood and choreography - also links with the dream-like nature of the 'Creature of Reverie' theme + the sexuality associated with the label

- no lace but would like to use some kind of brade/elastic insert with in-lay detail

- gathering of fabric to mimic the wrapping - could be pintucks/tucks of fabric at seams (?) - would need to consider the bulk associated with doing this and therefore the fabrics used.

Above are images of the silhouettes of the dancers from the Misericordes Ballet performing positions choreographed into the piece. They demonstrate the wrapping of arms and legs around the body - the intertwining BUT also how angled line is contrasted with this smooth, circular shapes. The use of symmetry is also demonstrated in these images and although it is not visible without seeing the positions performed as a whole dance, these lines and movements are repeated throughout the pas de deux section of the ballet. Further more the images give some kind of an idea about the intimacy/sensual/passion of the choreography (although seeing the piece one really experiences the tension and passion created by the dancers and the movements.)

As you can see above, i have taken these silhouette positions and played around with the size, placing them on the body to create and reflect the lines that will be seen throughout the drop (3 stories) i will design for the 'Creature of Reverie' Spring/Summer09 Collection. (sorry the quality isnt great but i printed the images on tracing paper so the lines of intersection could be seen - but it didnt scan very well!)

- joanna