We had the distinct pleasure to interview award winning designer Karina Frances Edmonds about their original and creative Wearable Art design work. Karina Frances Edmonds is an award-winning fashion designer, that makes our world a better place with their original wearable art works.
Karina Frances Edmonds ("KFE") answered Design Interview ("DI") questions about their award-winning work Perception of the Eyes Wearable Art. Interview questions prepared by Frank Scott.
KFE : This dress is inspired by eyes and their magical properties with their ability to create, reflect and translate perceptions of the world around us. It is this deep infinite illusion eyes radiate that inspired this dress. The wonder and mystery in eyes is seen in its abstract translation, on the breasts.
KFE : Because this piece was also inspired by space and its realm, gravity was really the only grand entity I had to work with, to achieve its supernatural shape. The construction of this piece had a prominent focus on its structure as the piece relied heavily on the from, and the geometric reflections.
KFE : Every figure I ever draw is entirely different and unique with its own shape and curve. From there, many of my designs are born from a unique line found on the figure which then becomes a second skin and art as the garment itself is born from there. The design itself was instant, but of course through new measures taken by the shape, and structure of the piece, the design was developed over time! This piece was part of my first ever collection or pieces of garments ever created, so there was definitely a lot of modification that went into the design as I tried working closely with reality, while still thriving to achieve the original idea. As a first of times, when designing, I never really considered aspects from reality like material, or structure and gravity.
KFE : As soon as I received the request of a dress inspired by one of the sponsors of the NYFW show, ideas instantly began to flow. Because they requested a garment inspired by their brand and their visions upon eyes, as an eye drop company, I instantly began designing as the correlation between eyes and my theme was very strong. Because for me eyes are the identity and soul in a person, this correlated very well with the theme in this collection, upon myself and finding my identity.
KFE : Perception of the Eyes comes from my vision upon eyes and their distinct, ability and power to create poetry and perceptions of the world around us. The significance of the name Perception of the Eyes comes as both a literal and poetic truth.
KFE : The uniqueness in this design comes from its ability to empower one to radiate.
KFE : As this garment was part of the first collections I have ever created I did have to work with a taylorer, to helo me with the technical aspects of the de
KFE : The construction of this garment consisted of carefully handcrafted leather strips, perfectly cut to sustain the structure base of the piece, assembled with black wire, and the use of soldering to structure for to life.
KFE : This design regarded research on the sponsorship brand, its values, and motos. After further research on the brand, the next research regarded its relation to me which I found evident from the beginning, with my relation to eyes. This garment also regarded research on its fabric in order to complete its structure. The challenge was to find a fabric that could best support the architectural shape of the piece, while also supporting the human body and its movements. Faux leather consisting in 95% of the dress, was assembled in various ways geometrically and physically to not only poetically bring the dress to life but also literally by lifting its structure into an art of realism .
KFE : The structural component of this design was definitely one of the most challenging aspects especially regarding my little to no knowledge on technique regarding patternmaking, or any sort of construction for garments. There were many things that had to be figured out beginning with the material, to the garments interaction with the model. As a new designer in the fashion field, I didn't realize the importance of materials. I used to always design for fun not realzing the types of materials that needed to be used for any mater of making. It was not until I began bringing my designs to reality for the first time, that I realized the importance of designing with a value for material, as well as a value for the human body, and living actions.
KFE : Because this is one of the first garments I have ever created, I definitely grew as a designer and person myself. Especially regarding the theme upon myself, which intently looked at my journey and growth as a person. The research for each design in the collection indulged in a close look and inner reflection on my self. This was a very hard process because there were so many words I had to say yet I wanted to communicate them in a way people could relate, and create perceptions for themselves, just as "Perception of the Eyes" examins as part of the collection. As a new designer in this art, I learned so much beginning from the journey of myself to the process and journey of a garment, from paper and poetry to fabric and sculpture.
