SS2019 Splash Silicone Rubber Clothing Módne oblečenie

Press Kit

Unique Properties

The designer has been experimenting with silicone rubber since 2014. The molding-casting technology requires precise preparation, the emphasis is more on the design process, as the making itself is limited to the time of pouring. Splash is an advanced version of the Spring-Summer 2015 Clones, which earned the designer the category of innovative designers on Not Just A Label. The title Splash refers to the technology which involves liquid being injected between layers of silicone.

Dimensions & Packaging

There are 18 looks within the collection, sizes ranging from bodysuits, short dresses and one long dress.
Bodysuits: Body length: 60 cm, bust: 70 cm, waist: 60 cm, weight: 4 lb,
Short dress: Length: 70 cm, bust: 70 cm, waist: 60 cm, hips: 80 cm, weight: 4 lb
Yellow dress: Overall length: 135 cm, bust: 70 cm, waist: 60 cm, hips: 80 cm, weight: 14 lb

Tags

fashion, apparel silicone, rubber, innovation, sci-fi

Production Technology

Silicone rubber
Molding-casting
Pouring

Design Challenge

After several years of experimentation mostly on swimwear, one of the biggest challenges in this collection was to make a big-scale piece. An attractive yellow dress with a huge round skirt and circle "cutouts". The designer faced the challenge to find balance between strength and fragility. Because of the shortness of the curing time of silicone rubber and the size of the project the design itself needed a lot of attention as minor mistakes could result in repeating the whole making process.

Research

The designer has been experimenting with silicone rubber for a couple of collections (5 silicone rubber collections so far), trying something new each season to come. Innovations in each collection:

SS2015 Clones - first silicone rubber collection - the foundation of the technology
SS2017 Skin Deep - introducing transparent hard silicone vests
FW2017 In the cocoon - expanding the volume to big-scale pieces
SS2018 Splash - injecting water between layers of silicone to create the ‘splash’ effect
FW2019 Possession - complete, multiple-piece outfits made of silicone rubber, including footwear

Inspiration

The designer loves to define garments as an abstract extension of the human body. For this particular collection the designer drew inspiration from her personal experiences learning about the importance of water within the healthy functioning of the body, how it impacts blood structure. She expressed it in two ways: using circles and injecting water and other colorful liquids between layers of silicone as a symbolic representation of this healthy flow.

Project Duration

The development of the technology started in 2014 with the designer's first silicone rubber collection Spring-Summer 2015 Clones and has been upgraded every year. Splash conceived in 2018 and was completed in August, 2018 and was showcased at New York Fashion Week in the framework of Oxford Fashion Studio's Emerging Designer Showcase in September at Pier59 Studios.

Operation Flow

The pieces made of silicone rubber do not require any sewing, therefore there are no real seams or trimmings, which creates a very neat appearance. The pieces are simultaneously flexible and have a strong hold, which feature eliminates wrinkles. The cleaning of the pieces is highly-efficient as the surface is waterproof, they don't require machine wash, can be wiped off with light detergents, alcohol for disinfection and can be patted dry with paper towel or any water absorbent cloth. The same way the pouring process allows no waste during the production as there is no excess material in the mold.

Patents

Patent No.

Image Credits

Runway photography and videography: Oxford Fashion Studio
Main image photography: Charles Hundley, The Runway Authority
Runway model for main image: Dani Le Rose/Dani Rook
Runway model for Optional Image #1: Hanasha Ch.
Runway model for Optional Image #2: Tifannie Kramer
Runway model for Optional Image #3: Stephanie Bardavid
Runway model for Optional Image #4: Mimi Tao

Additional documentation - Campaign
Photography: Dobrin Marchev www.dobrinmarchev.com
Model: Ana Eberg @Red Model Management
Make-up: Anastasia Eisenberg