3D Research
I start the 3-dimensional research process by simultaneously creating more pages in my research notebook, as well as draping on the mannequin. I find different fabric manipulation techniques that I like, such as pleating, shirring, gathering, etc., and couple that with making samples and draping fabric on the mannequin. This allows me to flush out ideas that I like and don't like, while also thinking about texture and silhouette in my notebook that is cohesive with my inspiration.
Fabric manipulation and surface design is something that, as a designer, I embed into almost every design. Manipulations such as pleating, layering, shirring, gathering, and even color-blocking.
During the draping process of 3D research, some ideas will come to fruition when muslins are made, and some will fade away. Smocking and the cowled drapes are ideas that did not move into the next phase of the design process, where the shirring and layering were ideas that really resonated with the collection ideas and target market. The draping process of 3D research is completely exploratory, and not meant to create grid-locked ideas or solidify exactly what will be used in the collection; this process pushes the creative mind to generate a number of ideas that can be interpreted in different ways.