Nick’s story is a little unique in that he graduated in 2020, but his final architectural thesis was finished a couple years ago. As he was finishing up his degree, he kept exploring the ideas from that thesis into other design practices such as fashion. It started with the 3d printed mask and grew into larger fullaa body concepts. His ‘Digital Couture’ collection is an exploration of fashion using the same tools and technology learned in architecture. The design processes started with tests of a 3d printed bodice and transitioned to more traditional fabric patterning.
For the first piece of the collection, the process started with the tracing of an image of a ghost orchid, being drawn to the wispy, delicate nature of the flower. From there, the line work is mirrored, warped, and rotated to multiple iterations. After picking the desired iteration, it goes through the process of warping a moire pattern to the line work to give it graphic richness. To complete the concept there is a ghosted silhouette, a technique used in Martin Margiela's work, that harkens back 'ghostly' qualities of the orchid. This added a desired effect that tied all the concepts together.
Inspired by tattoos, the Viper Dress redefines the tattoo from two-dimensional graphic to a multi-layered, laser cut, 3d cutout. The wispy ends of the tattoo gives opportunity for a new typology of fringe, giving what is usually a structured material, leather, movement. The design takes advantage of the strength of the leather and its ability not to fray with the raw edge, cutting out intricate patterning. .
Initial design sketches for the first two looks for the upcoming collection. The collection will feature similar techniques of laser cutting and digital patterning.