Hi Everyone!! !! Today’s Guest is, Architect, and author of Mod Design Guru ( formally HeyM Design Innovations) Michele. Take a minute to read all about “Draping” and also check out her new site for weekly updates on amazing innovations in everything from architecture to fashion!!
Thanks M!!!
Thanks M!!!
Draping in design
Hooray, Fashion Week 2012 is here! Ok, my secret is out. I am an architect with a passion for fashion: the fantasy, the use of color, pattern, texture and construction, especially methods of construction like draping, weaving, pleating, wrapping. After studying abroad in Florence, Italy, I came back thinking I would pursue fashion; however, my scientist dad redirected my other passions for art, math and science towards a career in architecture. The funny thing is my fascination with fashion is viable – since concepts from fashion and architecture do collide. In 2006, The Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles presented Skin + Bones: Parallel Practices in Fashion and Architecture. The exhibition unveiled how architects and fashion designers borrow from each other. For example, avant-garde designers have come to approach clothing as architectonic constructions, while architects have embraced new forms and materials.
Due to advanced software technologies, I have noticed the cross-pollination of concepts and vocabulary not only between fashion and architecture; but also between fashion and other design disciplines like interior, furniture, lighting and product design. Let’s examine how ‘draping’ a fashion strategy, applies in this cross section of design.
DRAPING: a technique often used as a dramatic effect in fashion design. It includes a number of free forming folds appearing throughout the garment.
ALEXANDER MCQUEEN SAVAGE BEAUTY
Alexander McQueen’s tailoring and draping is ‘rigorous and impulsive, disciplined and unconstrained.’
CHARLES JAMES
Charles James is known for couturier and his distinctive and complex draping.
DRAPING in ARCHITECTURE:
FRANK GEHRY ARCHITECT, RESIDENTIAL TOWER, NEW YORK CITY
Frank Gehry’s addition to the New York City skyline is clad with 18 gauge stainless steel that folds, ripples and reflects light. The architect cited, as inspiration, the drapery in marble sculptures by 17th century Baroque artist Gianlorenzo Bernini.
DRAPING in ARCHITECTURE and INTERIOR DESIGN:
TAICHUNG CONVENTION CENTER BY MAD ARCHITECTS,TAIWAN
TAICHUNG CONVENTION CENTER INTERIOR
The Taichung Convention center by MAD Architects has a draping exterior skin that naturally ventilates the structure and generates energy from solar power. The interior framework is also expressed thru free forming folds.
BLUE FIN RESTAURANT,NYC
The hypnotic wall at Blue Fin Restaurant cascades and puckers down the central main staircase.
DRAPING in FURNITURE DESIGN:
MUNKEN CUBE
How cool is this crinkled side table called the Munken Cube! It is a unique object of paper and wood consisting of 2200 sheets of high quality paper set on a solid wood plinth designed by German interior brand e15 and the Swedish manufacturer of natural paper, Arctic Paper.
MOOD COUCH BYHANNA EMELIE ERNESTING
I love this organic customizable couch called ‘Mood’ by Designer Hanna Emelie Ernesting. It is ever changing! It acts as a “blanket, pillow, a cubby to burrow in or an intimate hideaway to cuddle with someone special.”
DRAPING in LIGHTING DESIGN:
ATLANTIS BY HUDSON FURNITURE
Atlantis Chandelier by Hudson Furniture is so glamorous. It’s metal chains elegantly drips.
GLOBAL LIGHTING,ICFF
Global lighting’s organic pendant called ‘Agatha’ is a hanging lamp whose shape blooms like a flower. It is created by Spanish designer Luis Eslava for LZF. It comes in two different sizes and 8 different wood veneer shades.
DRAPING in PRODUCT DESIGN:
ALUMINUM BOOKCASE BY JULIENE VADAME
Wavy bookcase design by VIDAME built its own bending machine to create these dynamic folds made out of powder coated aluminum. Colors can be customizable.
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I was amazed with the designs, specially to the TAICHUNG CONVENTION CENTER. I haven’t been there but it’s like being in heaven inside.