In classical Greek dress all clothing was made from a single rectangular piece of cloth, draped and tied in various ways. The reason for this was because the cloth was multi-functional. It not only served as dress but also to sleep on (or as a blanket), cover furniture and even as a sail.

 

This collection seeks to explore this concept. 12 rectangles are draped and tied to create 21st century dresses based on this simple but brilliant Classical concept. I feel transformable wear is a highly topical theme. It can be applied to many contexts ranging from travelling, to beachwear. At a time when women travel more than ever, it feels appropriate to explore dresses which indeed could be transformed simply into bed sheets, tent covers and so on. In the context of beachwear a dress can be removed being worn over swimwear and laid onto a beach as a blanket. All transformations designed are very simple, where some offer fewer configurations and others offer numerous.

 

I have always found the depiction of Greek dress in classical sculpture incredibly feminine and provocative. Sculptors of the time observed models in ‘wetted drapery’ in order to emulate this utterly sensual effect where the female body meets dress and one almost merges with the other. In wetted drapery a woman almost becomes her dress. It’s as though each ripple of drapery is an extension of her flesh. As if water’s effect is to create a rhythmic dance between skin and fabric where at moments they perfectly run parallel and at others they separate. 

 

The colour palette is based on colours used in ancient Greek dress: dark purple, violet, dark red, bright yellow, bright green and grey. The exact tones and shades of each colour are chosen using artistic license.

 

12 GREEK RECTANGLES - BLOGS >>