. . . ~Hello my lovelies! .. I've finally finished my dress and im super proud of it (if i do say so myself ^w^) ..
I based my work on the theme of Bubble Goth by researching the pop star Kerli as
she designs and makes all her own garments and jewellery. Due to her being the
initial creator of the Bubble Goth Stereotype and her unique style, it really inspired me to base my work on the cute gothic fashion.
During the unit I
looked at the designers and celebrities who are recognized and
associated with this style and how they have adapted it to their own personal
style.
I adore all things
Alternative and I was drawn to the gothic subculture because it’s so unique,
different and beautiful.
Naturally, I started incorporating elements of Goth fashion into my own
wardrobe. People took notice and began asking if I was a Goth. My instant
response being “I’m not quite a Goth, I’m a Bubble Goth” and that response
usually gets a puzzled expression.
Bubble Goth is definitely new and not very well known and I understand why
people would be curious to learn more about it.
Bubble Goth was
created a number of years ago by singer/songwriter Kerli. Many people started
to call her a Goth after her first album come out due to its dark lyrics and
spooky visuals.
Trying to be offensive, a critic called her a bubble gum Goth. Kerli thought
that was genius and explained her perfectly and so Bubble Goth was born!
According to Kerli, “It’s all about putting together light and dark, opposites, and things
that you don't really necessarily think go together” …it is all about making dark things beautiful
and beautiful things dark. It’s a combination of cute and gross, evil and good.
I am really
interested in the twisted ways this fashion is portrayed … For example; cute
teddy bears wearing gas masks, over-sized studs and spikes, pastel colours,
rhinestone covered skulls etc.
Kerli also attributes her beliefs in angels and
fairies to be an influence in her music and her style due to lots of white and
floaty fabrics, where her Bubble Goth style is full of colour, studs, spikes
and adorableness!
In her music video ‘Army of Love’, she is seen combining the two. Platform
shoes, dreadlocked and braided hair with lots of volume, over-sized rings with
rhine stone covered gas masks ~All in while… Almost like an albino Goth.
Although the whole entire outfit is in white, it is still visually striking due
to the fabrics used and how they are used. Such as the mixture of leather and
lace, contrasting but due to the Bubble Goth style they don’t clash.
Kerli’s style reached out to me
due to my own personal style that is Bubble Goth related, even though I’m not
so publicly extravagant I like to incorporate the theme with in my daily
fashion routine so I was inspired to use a Bubble Goth theme for my study.
I chose the colours pink and blue as I find they complement each other well
although I have found that using pastel colours would have been a much more
suitable idea and would give it more of a sense of Kerli’s style.
The darker pink hearts are subtle and flattering but with the black out line,
they really pop and scream Bubble Goth, especially with the spikes following the
neck line and seam line up to the shoulder pads. Almost gives it a girly warrior
look.
As the bodice had the most detail and was the most dominant part of the
garment, I tried to balance it out with incorporating the blue at the top and
bottom, as well as the studs and spikes that are featured on the shoulder pads
and the edge of the skirt. Also, the fastening of the bodice is also incorporated
with the blue due to the two shades of ribbon.
A lot of changes were made throughout the brief such as the neckline. The sweet
heart neckline fitted in well with the Bubble Goth theme but unfortunately when
cutting out the template I made a few hick ups and set the neck line too high.
But I managed to correct it by cutting away the sweet heart and making it into
a V-neck, which I think works very well as it allows more attention to go to the
shoulder pads and to the chest area in a flattering way.
I originally decorated a bird claw in rhinestones (just like the skull pendant)
as a feature on the skirt, but in the end it didn't look right dangling there
and I couldn't think of any other purpose for it.
I came across another problem and it was that the shoulder pads were positioned
too far back so when worn, they didn't sit on the shoulders properly and that I didn't leave a lot of room for the arms to go through comfortably. I detached
them then I was left with tatty straps, so with left over blue material, I
decided to make tubes for the straps to slot into to cover the ruined part of
the straps. Almost like an extension. I then re-attached the shoulder pads in
the correct position.
Another main influence to my
design idea’s was Harajuku which is a variety of styles including gothic
Lolita, Kawaii and Cosplay all from
Japanese culture which is mainly cute and Bubbly and the styles rarely see the
colour black due to its inhabitants of pastel and bright colours.
I have taken my garment out for a
‘test run’ to see if I can identify any faults.
Some aspects with the skirt are in need of re-thinking if I come to make it
again. While walking some spikes managed to unscrew themselves and drop off and
wearing the skirt on a windy day isn't a wise choice either… If I was to make
the skirt again, I would chose detailing to be all studs as they are firmly
hooked on and that the skirt should be made a little longer or include a lot
more net.
The bodice is comfy and keeps me well covered, all though the weight of the
shoulder pads is very clear due to the straps sneakily dropping with every few
steps I take, that can be resolved by a thicker strip of ribbon placed higher
up at the back, or have less spikes and glue included.
Over all I am pleased with my finished garment and I think that everything I
have included strongly highlights Bubble Goth.
If I was to do this project again I would think about the use of colours and
shades more as my garment would look a lot better in pastel pink and blue as it
would look softer, but have the shock factor of the studs, spikes and chains.
Looks alot nicer in person! ~ Lighting's a little off
. . . ~So that's the review of my dress that everybody was asking me about .. I hope you like it and i will be sure to create many more things in the future!
Im actually really exited about my new assignment in fashion class! ~For my 15 hour exam im basing it on Japanese food ^w^ .. There were some really dumb exam questions to pick from, like 'Land and Sea' <--- I mean really?! ..
But food is pretty easy to base stuff on! .. Kawaii food project will be pretty fun and i have until April to play around with stuff! ..
. . . ~Speaking of playing around with stuff, i've dyed my hair again and its gone black! .. it was meant to be a warm chocolate brown...... and my extensions don't match and the dye as made them go all patchy ... Thank god im ordering a new wig at the end of the month ^o^ ..
Thats it for this post <3 Until next time sweeties! <3
Peace~Love~ Integrity
x x x x I.L.U x x x x
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