Despite the undeniable unpredictable graduate year experienced by all, I knew by whatever means I would go beyond my comfort zones in designing and make and explore other areas I take great interest in for my final projects. From microwaving over 100 natural dye samples foraged locally in Edinburgh, natural ombre dyeing, mixing stretch and non-stretch fabrics together, textile lino printing and huge beading and historical embroidery features and more, I achieved everything I wanted to. I find it rare to fully enjoy all the processes of every project, but I can't recall any part of my projects that tempted me to take a break.
Sophronia Leisha Louise
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Project description
Studio members
The King and I Project Description
The Story brought to life by journals written by Anna Leonowens about her adventures in ancient Siam and her time in the Imperial Court of King Mongkut has many adaptions, all mostly before the year 2000. This, I believe, enabled me to create a fresh perspective and redesign focusing more on the historical accuracy of textiles, prints, embroidery, symbolism, religion, economy and trade and how it shaped both Siamese and western fashion of the19th Century.
My direction of designing and research was to fully explore two almost opposite historical cultures to gain an accurate understanding of the textiles to inspire a fusion of both reflected in each character and costume, evolving throughout the performance. Within my textile research, I discovered a love for historical natural dyes also enabling me to create a personal reference of samples across various fabrics.
The Spiderwick Chronicles Project Description
My concept for this brief was to reimagine this film production set in rural Japan (1860). Mythology and their narratives have frequently inspired my work and so I began researching close equivalent versions or interpretations of the western folklore creatures of myth that are introduced and portrayed in the original film in Japanese mythology. My vision was to re-imagine these creatures and characters in their organic setting and environment. I aimed to design these creatures and characters in a way to capture their individual characteristics portrayed through historically accurate textiles and playful symbolism able to be enjoyed by all ages.
Sophronia Leisha Louise
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Related student work
The King and I CAD Book- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yRRyBUac_ocaDxCpFFlmGGhayVfHsMNf/view?usp=sharing
The Spiderwick Chronicles CAD Book- https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-gwh-NUPTSaZ8PCK1evLSw5btnOOtXjP/view?usp=sharing
