Symbiosis: Fashion and Art
The project, Symbiosis: Fashion and Art, proposed an integration of cross-disciplinary creative collaborations between the fields of printmaking and fashion design. The goals were for undergraduate students from both fields to collaborate and create a collection of garments and artworks to advance and expand their design knowledge, communication, and creative thinking. Students also learned through the mentorship of the faculty members as they worked collaboratively to create pieces to be part of the overall collection.
The project was funded through a College of the Arts Catalyst Grant from the Kent State University. The motivation for the project was to integrate two artistic fields that often use similar tools, studio environments, and design skills, but ultimately create distinctive outcomes with different audiences. Effective collaborations between fashion and print media can motivate students to transfer their ideas between the two dimensional art pieces and three dimensional wearable garments. The project addressed contemporary issues of sustainability and ecology through art, design, and technology, as well as created connections between art and design students and faculty that will shape their thinking and influence their future research and teaching.
Supervised by Assistant Professor Chanjuan Chen and Taryn McMahon, this cross-disciplinary collaboration formed six teams of two, consisting of one printmaking student and one fashion design student. The project lasted a total of 12 weeks with 1 hour meeting was held each week. By using the themes of sustainability, ecology, and transformation for their garment and artwork, six wall-based artworks and six innovative wearable pieces were completed based on the same motif design.
The project was funded through a College of the Arts Catalyst Grant from the Kent State University. The motivation for the project was to integrate two artistic fields that often use similar tools, studio environments, and design skills, but ultimately create distinctive outcomes with different audiences. Effective collaborations between fashion and print media can motivate students to transfer their ideas between the two dimensional art pieces and three dimensional wearable garments. The project addressed contemporary issues of sustainability and ecology through art, design, and technology, as well as created connections between art and design students and faculty that will shape their thinking and influence their future research and teaching.
Supervised by Assistant Professor Chanjuan Chen and Taryn McMahon, this cross-disciplinary collaboration formed six teams of two, consisting of one printmaking student and one fashion design student. The project lasted a total of 12 weeks with 1 hour meeting was held each week. By using the themes of sustainability, ecology, and transformation for their garment and artwork, six wall-based artworks and six innovative wearable pieces were completed based on the same motif design.
E-Couture, Sustainability through Transformation
E-Couture, Sustainability through Transformation is an exhibition that explores the relationship between fashion and sustainability using twelve ensembles that highlight fashion design versatility and adaptability in an effort to create a higher level of social responsibility in the fashion industry without sacrificing creative quality.
Chanjuan Chen developed her skills and expertise in fashion design while completing the MFA program at the University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design. During her time studying, she fostered a passion for learning new and innovative ways to infuse concepts of sustainability into her designs. A main motivator was to create a process of sustainability that pushes the fashion system to change. For instance, the question of how to create designs which are sustainable, yet fashionable, is a significant question for fashion designers. In order to improve the human condition, concepts such as sustainability and adaptability must be ingrained into fashion design and production in order to preserve resources while at the same time maximizing modern cultural style and living.
This collection highlights four series. The first series utilizes the use of natural resources and an origami folding technique to create three interchangeable designs. The second series has its’ foundation in dyeing techniques combined with natural fabrics to create unique texture and variety in fashion. The third series calls upon historical precedence from 18th century France as a source of inspiration to create innovative fashion in modern time. The final series utilizes lines and shapes to present ready-to-wear garments that can be worn in multiple ways using modern themes. All the garments have a shared concept of transformable design, along with natural fabric, to achieve fashion sustainability.
As a result of the exhibition, Chanjuan hopes to be a part of the solution to the societal and ecological problems the fashion industry currently faces. Her designs have won numerous awards from academic and professional organizations, such as the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA). She plans to pursue a career in academia and further her research in fashion sustainability.
Chanjuan Chen developed her skills and expertise in fashion design while completing the MFA program at the University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design. During her time studying, she fostered a passion for learning new and innovative ways to infuse concepts of sustainability into her designs. A main motivator was to create a process of sustainability that pushes the fashion system to change. For instance, the question of how to create designs which are sustainable, yet fashionable, is a significant question for fashion designers. In order to improve the human condition, concepts such as sustainability and adaptability must be ingrained into fashion design and production in order to preserve resources while at the same time maximizing modern cultural style and living.
This collection highlights four series. The first series utilizes the use of natural resources and an origami folding technique to create three interchangeable designs. The second series has its’ foundation in dyeing techniques combined with natural fabrics to create unique texture and variety in fashion. The third series calls upon historical precedence from 18th century France as a source of inspiration to create innovative fashion in modern time. The final series utilizes lines and shapes to present ready-to-wear garments that can be worn in multiple ways using modern themes. All the garments have a shared concept of transformable design, along with natural fabric, to achieve fashion sustainability.
As a result of the exhibition, Chanjuan hopes to be a part of the solution to the societal and ecological problems the fashion industry currently faces. Her designs have won numerous awards from academic and professional organizations, such as the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA). She plans to pursue a career in academia and further her research in fashion sustainability.
