the Design Lab Lookbook S/S 2013

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the Design Lab S/S 2013

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Peruvian Hand

Wovens

CTTC hand woven

fabric partnered with

eco-friendly hemp

blends

Page 3, 7, 11

Kenyan Hand

Beaded

Toto Knits hand

beaded fabrics

partnered with eco-

friendly hemp blends

Page 5, 9, 13

Designer Profile and

Philosophy

NOLA born designer partners

with international co-ops to

create socially responsible

colleciton

Page 1

the Design Lab S/S 2013

by Kallen Forster

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the Design Lab By Kallen Forster

This collection is Kallen Forster’s Masters Thesis Collection for Louisiana State University. It is an inspiration for the Design Lab, which is a New Orleans based Socially Responsible Design Cooperative that Forster founded which will train, empower, and employ local women in various design techniques. For this collection, Forster (seen center in image above) teamed up with Kenyan cooperative Toto Knits (seen right, figure A&B) and a Peruvian Cooperative, the Center for Traditional Textiles of Cusco (CTTC, seen right, figure C) to create hand beaded, and hand woven fabrics, which combined with eco-friendly hemp blended fabrics to create a contemporary and casual RTW SS2013 line (seen above). These pieces were designed to flex in any wardrobe. They merge and test the flow and movement of fabric with the silhouette of a woman’s body and contrast feminine accents with hard lines, patterns, shapes, and edges. They are versatile and transitional and can be worn throughout seasons and easily dressed up or down. Each piece is unique and makes a powerful statement while promoting social responsibility and a sense of virtue with each wear. These pieces provide a contemporary and wearable approach to preserving historic textile techniques and artisans while supporting and promoting the empowerment of women everywhere.

A

B

C

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4

B. Historic Textile Image

This Peruvian textile was referenced

for pattern when drafting beading

designs. The designer used this

central motif as a template of sorts for

each beading paterm.

C. Historic African Beading

The designer referenced several

historic beading patterns and garments

from African beaded textiles. These

two were used as inspiration for

combining geometric prevalence with

the Peruvian woven motifs.

E. Sketching Process

Once pattern and fabric were selected,

the designer moved forward with

creating silhouette and style through

the sketching process. This also was

important for the beading pattern

process and dimensions required.

F. Beading Patterns

Once final sketches were rendered and

beading pattern was designed, Forster

began the draping process, and then

converted patterns to Adobe

Illustrator to perfect the ideal scale

and positioning of the beading design

to the pattern piece.

A. Hand Woven from CTTC

This piece from Accha Alta, along

with 2 others, were selected from a

database for pattern, color, and

cohesion. Forster partnered with

Nilda Alvarez CTTC founder to select

the perfect pieces to compliment her

capsule collection.

D. Balmain Inspiration

The designer referenced current

fashion beading for inspiration as well,

Balmain was a main source of

inspiration while sketching and

creating patterns.

A B C

D

E

F

C

E 2

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Peruvian Hand Woven Full

Miniskirt & HiLo Blouse

Details found on pg 4

Model Taylor Jordan 3

6

A. Sleeveless Blouse with Hand Woven Neck Yoke

Peruvian Hand Woven Neck Yoke lined with silk hemp blend

for comfort, side shoulder hook closure, tan dyed silk hemp

blend sleeveless blouse base with high to low rolled hem and

French seams. This statement piece can easily worn separately

and dressed up or down. These hand woven textiles were

constructed in Accha Alta, Peru by the CTTC.

(item #001) $220.00

B. Full Hand Woven Miniskirt

Peruvian Hand Woven fabric, linen hemp blend hip yoke,

Peruvian loom woven waist band (detail image above),

exposed tan zipper, horsehair hem, fully lined with silk hemp

blend for comfort. This flirty miniskirt creates an eye-

catching silhouette. It takes the historic Peruvian textile and

bridges the gap between past and present fashion.

(item #002) $470.00

B

A-B

A

B

A

Peruvian Hand

Wovens

Full Miniskirt &

HiLo Blouse

Full Miniskirt – Peruvian Hand Woven Textile and

Hemp Canvas + HighLow Blouse – Silk/Hemp Blend and Peruvian Hand Woven neck yoke. Hair Accessory

by Rural Revolution.

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7 5

Kenyan Hand Beaded Cape and

High Waist Short

Details found on pg 6

Model Kristin Frischhertz

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A. High Waist Short with Hand Woven Zipper Trim

The Cape is complimented by a high-waisted short that has

Peruvian hand woven trim to accent the exposed zipper which is

pictured directly above. Easily paired with day or evening looks.

Black Cotton/Hemp Stretch blend provides a flattering and

comfortable slim fit. Woven trim was constructed in Accha

Alta, Peru with the CTTC.

B. Hand Beaded Shoulder Yoke with Full Cape

B

A-B

A

B

A

Kenyan Hand Beaded

Full Cape &

High Waist Short

High-Waisted Short – Organic Cotton/Hemp

Stretch Blend with Peruvian Loom Woven trim on

exposed zipper + Full Cape – Kenyan Hand Beaded

Patterned Shoulder Yoke and Silk/Hemp Blend.

This cape is designed to allow for graceful movement and flow,

and evoke subtle femininity through sheer silhouette and

contrasting with hard lines of a severe shoulder created through

intricate beading design. This beading design is inspired by

Peruvian woven pattern and was hand beaded in Kenya by the

women of Toto Knits.

6 (item #003) $230.00 (item #004) $230.00

9 7

Peruvian Hand Woven Collared

Blouse and Side Panel Pant

Details found on pg 8

Model Meghann Harney

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B

A

A

A

8

A. Blouse with Hand Woven Collar and Back

Shoulder Yoke The pants have loom woven panels that create interest to the

staple black pant. They are paired with comfortable yet

flattering Organic Cotton/Hemp Stretch blend to create a

flattering skinny silhouette. They can be dressed up or down

and worn with many different looks.

The loom woven accents on the collar and back shoulder yoke

create interest to an essential classic blouse. The comfort and

elegance is accentuated by the silk hemp blended fabric it is

paired with. It can be dressed up or down and worn in many

different ways. The woven elements were constructed in Accha

Alta Peru by the CTTC.

B. Low-rise Hand Woven Panel Skinny Pant

A-B

Low-Rise Paneled Pant – Peruvian Loom Woven Side

Panels with Organic Cotton/Hemp Stretch Blend +

Collared High-Low Blouse Dyed Silk/Hemp Blend with Loom

Woven Back Shoulder Yoke and Collar Detail. Necklace and Bracelet provided by Rural

Revolution

Peruvian Hand

Woven

Collared Blouse &

Side Panel Pant

(item #005) $135.00 (item #006) $280.00

11 9

Kenyan Hand Beaded Curved

Panel Pant and Collared Blouse

Details found on pg 10

Model Melanie Powers

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A

B

B

10

B. Collared HiLo Beaded Accent Blouse

High-Waisted Cigarette Curved Panel Pant – Kenyan Hand

Beaded Patterned Curved Panels with Organic Cotton/Hemp

Stretch Blend + Collared High-Low Blouse - Silk/Hemp Blend with Kenyan Hand Beaded back shoulder yoke accent and button

placket accent.

Kenyan Hand Beaded

Curved Panel Pant &

Collared HiLo Blouse

These high-waisted cigarette pants are a statement piece. The

pattern placement creates a flattering silhouette. The intricate

hand beaded panels were constructed in Kenya by Toto Knits

and can be worn dressy or casual.

A. High Waist Curved Beaded Panel Pant

A-B

The high-low hem on the blouse highlight the natural curves

of a woman, and the silk hemp fabric creates elegant flow and

movement. The comfort and elegance is accentuated by the

silk hemp blended fabric it is paired with. It can be dressed

up or down and worn in many different ways. The beaded

elements were constructed in Kenya by Toto Knits.

(item #007) $255.00 (item #008) $85.00

13 11

Peruvian Hand Woven Side Panel

Strapless Dress

Details found on pg 12

Model Iman Shervington

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A

A

12

This strapless fitted dress creates a figure-flattering silhouette through

manipulation of lines and pattern. The loom woven fabric was

constructed by the CTTC in Peru and is combined with eco-friendly

hemp fabric. The uneven hem creates a unique, interesting, and

flattering line for the leg. This dress can easily be dressed up or

down. Necklace and Bracelet provided by Rural Revolution

A. Strapless Woven Side Panel Dress

A B

Strapless Fitted Silhouette Dress – Peruvian Loom Woven

Panels and Hemp Canvas. Necklace and Bracelet provided by

Rural Revolution

Peruvian Hand

Woven

Strapless Side Panel

Dress

(item #009) $570.00

15 13

Kenyan Hand Beaded Hip Yoke

Maxi-Skirt and Bandeau

Details found on pg 14

Model Megan Peck

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B

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High-Waisted Maxi-Skirt – Kenyan Hand Beaded Patterned

hip yoke, Silk/Hemp Skirt, Hemp Canvas Waistband, Chanel Button Closure + Two Toned Bandeau

– Kenyan Hand Beaded Trim, Hemp Canvas and Organic

Cotton/Hemp Stretch Blend.

Kenyan Hand Beaded

Bandeau &

High Waist Maxi-skirt

This maxi skirt is a statement piece. It can be dressed down or

up, and has elegant drape and movement. The soft silk hemp

blend is contrasted by the hard lines of the intricate beading that

was hand sewn in Kenya by Toto Knits. The chanel button on

the back adds interest and appeal.

A

B. Beaded Bandeau

(item #010) $450.00

B

A

A-B

A. High Waist Beaded Hip Yoke Maxi-Skirt

The bandeau can be worn alone or provide pop under a sheer

top. The organic cotton hemp blended stretch fabric

provides silhouette flattering fit and comfort. Also lined for

comfort with silk hemp, and adjustable back strap.

(item #011) $60.00