[sustainable design]
S-Irène: Prêt-à-Plier Team for the 6th Nea Paralia - Nea Pasarela Fashion Show
[keywords]
fashion show, catwalk, sustainability, non-recyclable materials, reuse, literature, folding architecture, pleating, garment, blazer, cash register receipts, fishing nets
[project description]
Following the fundamental principle of utilizing non-recyclable materials, the architectural garment detailed herein was created as part of the Prêt-à-Plier course at the Department of Architecture, University of Thessaly. This garment comprises two components: a primary oversized blazer and a secondary pair of trousers. The decision to design these specific pieces stemmed from a desire to embrace an androgynous style that highlights female potential and supports the unisex trend of contemporary fashion. Drawing inspiration from literature, the design is based on Irène, the heroine of Maurice Attia's trilogy of novels. Irène's character defies the gender stereotypes of her era and faces criticism for her nonconformity, as depicted in the following excerpts.
For the garment's realization, materials such as collected cash register receipts —discovered to turn black when exposed to heat — and fishing nets were selected. The fishing nets were chosen both for their abundance in the coastal city of Volos and their non-recyclable nature. Using simple pleating techniques, the blazer was constructed from pleated receipts, and the trousers were made from perforated fishing nets. The blazer's pockets and collar feature discolored receipts with 3.5mm pleats, while the remainder of the blazer is made from blackened receipts with 7mm pleats. Designed, created, and presented this unique clothing piece on the catwalk.
* The Nea Paralia - Nea Pasarela catwalk is an annual event that takes place in the Nea Paralia of Thessaloniki and is organised by the Friends Association of Nea Paralia.
[literary reference]
The theme for the 6th catwalk was literature, with "Alger la Noire" by the author Maurice Attia chosen as the literary reference. Below are selected excerpts from the book that inspired the design of the clothing piece.
"Une bombe avait été placée par un type du FLN sous l'estrade de l'orchestre de Lucky Starway. Neuf morts et quatre-vingt-douze blessées, dont Irène. Sa dernière dance. Elle avait reçu un éclat dans la jambe gauche et les chirurgiens avaient dû l'amputer en dessous du genou. Elle avait eu droit à une prothèse et à une canne." [Alger la Noire, p. 23]
"Elle avait toujours tenu à son indépendance malgré la réputation de 'putaine' que les mégères et les machos lui avaient attribuée. 'Le bon Dieu l'a punie', comme disait sa garce de voisine." [Alger la Noire, p. 32]
[drawings & images]
backstage shot
backstage shot
initial digital sketch
final digital sketch
initial stages of creation
pattern of the blazer
fishing nets
receipts after being exposed to heat
photo of the blazer
photo of the blaser
close-up shot
close-up shot
close-up shot
close-up shot
close-up shot
close-up shot
[event & exhibition]
official video of the event
snapshot from the catwalk
the prêt-à-plier team
Post-runway, the collection of clothing pieces was exhibited at the Bedesten of Thessaloniki [10-25 June, 2021], in collaboration with the Ephorate of Antiquities of Thessaloniki and the Ministry of Culture and Sports.
exhibition poster
[project info]
students: Marianna Zioga, Eleni Bougiouris
year: 2020
institutions: University of Thessaly, Department of Architecture
[http://www.arch.uth.gr/en/index], Filoi Neas Paralias [https://paraliazo.gr/#], &
Thessaloniki Concert Hall [https://www.tch.gr/default.aspx?lang=en-GB&page=1]
supervisor: Sophia Vyzoviti [https://sophiavyzoviti.com]