Charli Designs

While looking into the bag design I found this step by step guide on making a simple dry bag. i want to do a sample using this guide to see how successful it is and to also see if I can use it for my final design.  https://www.instructables.com/id/Dry-Bag/ From this I drew a sketch of what I wanted to achieve. With the addition of the belt.

I've started looking into shape and figuring out what design I want to make for my final accessory, I want to keep to a basic shape but be able to attach it to a belt by a clip or buckle. I like the silver climbing buckle and how I could use this to attach this to a belt to make it multi use. I need to draw up a design and see how it would work in practice, the bag needs to be able to roll down so it can be air/water tight. I've already sourced a material which is water resistance but is quick thick so it might not roll down as it might just become a bulk. Also looking at these designs they do have different shapes of colour included in them so I could sample with this to give it a more interesting aesthetic.                

I've been looking at a number of different resources to gain knowledge for my COP essay. One particular resource was this podcast with Matthew Williams, the founder of Alyx 9SM. I found it this podcast very interesting and its exciting to come across brands that are conscientious about that practice and want to make a change as well as influencing other to do the same. As a brand Alyx have done a number of collaborations with other designers which they will have influenced with sustainable practice. Not only this but as a brand they want to create pieces that are forever items are not to just throw away, looking at keeping functional items aesthetically pleasing as well. Generally they have a very sleek and minimal aesthetic which won't go out of trend because its not produced to fit a certain season/trend but instead stay in your wardrobe for years. I like that they have this type of look as its something I try to incorporate into my own wardrobe, having a few pieces that c...

Making relevant connections between items of function that have been altered to give them a higher aesthetic and money value. Supreme charging £28 for sticking their logo on a standard brick that would usually retail around 50p, shows how simply branding can be used to make profit.  Heres the promo video they released for this accessory.  http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/33209/1/trying-to-understand-the-supreme-brick

I wanted to add another element to the bag so thinking about how I can do this was quite challenging. Some of the ideas I had that could make for a successful addiction are making it so it can roll up or adding pockets. I want to sample with both and see which one adds more functionality, I think by making it a belt as well will add this element to the bag. My next step for this project is to draw some sketches up and find a design that will represent my theme of function over aesthetic.   When the pocked it down and can be used:  The pocket rolled up so it can be used as a belt:  Bag harness is another way to make it multifunctional:

Now that I've decided on where I want to go with the project I've started looking into shape and fastenings to begin the design development. Still keeping it quite traditional to a dry bag shape but I want to incorporate the idea of making it dual function. With this in mind I started sketching and thought of the idea to make it detachable so it could be a belt once the bag it removed.  This first sketch is looking at making into a belt and bag. The bag would be attached with press studs so it can be easily removed. I want to create something that has a chic aesthetic, nothing too extravagant because I want most of the focus to be on the function of the bag.   This second sketch that I did looks at giving it two compartments to make it multi-use. The idea would be that the outer bag can zip off or be a compartment if needed. There would be a draw string close to allow for more space and then the bag behind has a strap so it can still be used. Also continuin...

Whilst looking into brands that have a specific ethos I came across this one called 'Save the Duck'. I personally like that they are cruelty free and vegan which is something I'd want to incorporate into my designs and practice as I live a vegan lifestyle. It's refreshing to know that there are brands out there that are creating contemporary garments that aren't made using animal and compromising the aesthetic or function of the jacket. Most of the jackets they sell are waterproof or have certain qualities that make them suitable for outdoor weather, the look of the garment is  still considered but it is obvious that the function and ensuring the garment is sustainable/recycled were possible is the main focus.  Here's the link to have a look at other styles and colours they do.  https://www.savetheduck.it/ce_en/men/fall-winter/focus-on/recycled.html

The theme I've decided to go with for this brief is Taste, Value & Consumption, I found this subject easy to relate to and feel like I can include my personal ethos into the accessory and the written element.  After todays 1 to 1 I feel like this theme is exactly what I want to discuss. I've already started making links between both parts of the module, for example I want to look at function over aesthetic and feel the dry bag concept fits this perfectly. I need to look at the theory behind this title to ensure I fully understand ands make relevant points. So far I feel really positive about this brief and once I've collected materials and books I can make steps forward with the accessory and writing.  The question I've started looking at is ' How is value assigned to an object in contemporary society and why is aesthetic valued more highly than function?' I feel like this question does summarise what I want to talk about and what I've been interest...

Some design features I've been focusing on throughout this brief is buckles. I was inspired by the functional ones used on the bags I've previously looked at by Alyx and Hunter. Other designers have used this type of side release buckle as it is really commonly used feature in streetwear/functional garments. Theres a few different styles that could be used, I've picked up ones in silver metal and black plastic as these were the ones available to me and would match well with the materials I've started looking at. I want to keep to the same theme as my fashion practice which is orange, olive and black so I can use the accessory in my final image shots. I've tried to link both briefs together by keeping to the theme of waterproof and outdoors wear, I'm hoping to portray this through my images to give the sense of functionality.  I got both these side release buckles from london trimmings which you can order online but they have a much bigger selection in store a...

As I've progressed through this brief and explored different areas I've now got a good idea on what my focus is, for both my accessory and essay. I just wanted to go back to my initial concept and look at some images that inspired me to ensure I don't loose this while while going off on a tangent. I want to keep to the theme of sea life and use water buoys as my inspiration, while I started linking this to dry bags I want to mix in the vibrant colours that water buoys are. Using shape and colour to create something that could be visually pleasing whilst still having function; the function of keeping items dry around water.   I have taken into consideration how shape can vary so when I come to sampling I will trail different shapes to see which one works the best. I'm leaning more towards a longer shape rather than small and round but will experiment with a few.