Nagoul Hassan
To further explain my project ‘Golden Hour’, a design brief aimed at creating a collection of fashion fabrics for a high-end luxury active wear collection, I wanted my collection to have a major focus of modesty. In my religion, modesty plays an important part of my life and cultural values and reflecting this in my design’s philosophy is important to me. My photos feature a combination of sports equipment and decorative accessories which were taken during sunset. This is normally the time where Muslims get ready to pray one of the 5 daily prayers and this had a positive impact on the colour of my photos. The value of decoration and embellishment is historically significant in my Kurdish culture which is why I combined these elements together. I worked with detailed constructed paper manipulation to create collage pieces which translated into light weight embroidered fabric sampling. It was a fundamental consideration to me to make sustainability a key factor by using only second-hand fabrics from vintage shops and the alternative materials I already owned. In addition, I created textile components inspired by my abstract data drawings and graphs using repurposed household items. While considering fabric grounds for print, I wanted my collection to have a rich quality to them, so I carefully chose the fabrics that I wanted to use such as velvet, silk, silk sateen, organza, and faux silk also stretch jersey. I also used different print techniques such as flocking, devore, foiling and puff binder to produce a soft but luxury texture on the fabric and showing movement and draping when photographing my fabrics. Completing my first year of my HND and learning to adapt and work independently and using the resources that I had around me made me more innovative and want to create work that was personal and developing my own style and creative process. Transitioning to working in a studio environment made me more driven and collaborating with my classmates and receiving their opinion on what I am working on was refreshing. I was a participant in a virtual open day for GSA Textiles which inspired me by showing me all the different variations of materials that can be used, both traditional and contemporary. Combining both is something that really appeals to my design philosophy. I based some of my work off my Kurdish heritage and my design is motivated by traditional values as well as my religious background. Encouraged by this cultural perspective, I am also influenced by the Scottish culture I have been immersed in for the past twenty years. I am passionate about incorporating a modern approach towards design and sustainability while keeping the traditional techniques alive. This is the unique perspective I hope to bring to the Glasgow School of Art.
