Naama Rietti, 25. Kingston University, Fashion BA (Hons) Graduate 2010.
- Specialism: Womenswear – knitwear
Design Background:
I Studied at Shipston High School and then attended the Arts College in Leamington Spa where I attained my BTEC National Diploma in Fashion Design.
I’d say my mum has often been my greatest inspiration…her taste is very eclectic and unusual, her house is full of objects she has collected throughout her life. I always return home to have a hunt around if I’m looking for ideas. She has influenced my love for the unconventional, my perspective of what I define as art and my core values in design.
What was the most valuable you learned before starting at your education?
I’ve always believed that anything is possible as long as you believe you can achieve it.
Project title:
Animal Intervention
Inspiration:
For my collection, my main inspiration came from a quote from Francesco Mastalias’ book on dreadlocks:
‘‘It was as if it had a life of its own, just waiting to be born. It took on structure, form…it was about nature, and nature has its own internal logic. My body started to create art out of its own internal rhythms.’’
I love organic, raw and natural, I love messy hair and crazy dreadlocks. The idea that nature has it’s own internal logic allowed me to find an unrestrained freedom within the development process. I specialize in knitwear so I found a new way of working with yarns, it became like sculpting, which I love so it has been very enjoyable. This was a very experimental way of working and lead into my drawing work developing intricate patterns which began to form images and characters. I used these drawings as reference when sculpting and creating shapes on the stand. I also worked into these drawings with painting to create print designs.
Where do you get inspiration from in general?
I love everything wild and primordial, untamed and totally unconventional.
How is your process when you design?
I always begin by creating 3D work, cutting and sculpting shapes or knitting samples. I photograph everything I do to get new ideas. I really believe that the best things happen by mistake, and it’s impossible to make a mistake on purpose so it is part of the process to allow things to happen by mistake. This project really helped me to do that, by making it part of my theme to create something that has been allowed to create itself, so without thinking too much about what it is going to be. Once I’ve created lots of images I work with collage to bring my ideas together, I mostly use photoshop for developing my designs.
What do you find most difficult about the design process?
Designing is full of challenges and that’s why I love it, every aspect can be difficult and it’s resolving difficulties which is the fun part.
What are your strenghts?
Working in 3D is definitely my strength, its working with my hands which I enjoy most.
What are your weaknesses?
Lack of confidence can often be my weakness; it can be hard to take criticism when you put your heart into your work. One thing Ive learned is that confidence is key to designing; you’ve got to believe in yourself and your abilities and to know what you are capable of.
Describe your collection with three words?
Wild, sexy, Animal.
What techniques did you use:
For my hand crafted pieces I developed my own technique by experimenting with yarns on the stand, manipulating them as you would plait and twist hair, this became like sculpting. I also took pictures and drew the emerging patterns from these 3D shapes. I then played with these drawings on the computer to create print designs; I painted into them by hand then completed the designs on computer which I had printed onto leather.
I also used a racking method on an industrial knitting machine to create my sheer knits which look like they have tiny plaits in them.
Which garment was most difficult to make?
The blue asymmetric jacket ended up becoming very difficult to perfect as the pattern was very complex. Making small adjustments became a very big job.
Which garment took the longest to make?
The hand-crafted white dress and hat took me two weeks to make, however last minute pressures helped make my brown silk hat from scratch in jus 10 hours.
Which garment is your favorite?
I love them all equally and the same.
How long did you work on this project?
About 6 months but I work best under pressure so most of it happened right near the end.
Is there something you regret not doing in your collection?
Budgeting!
What made you pursue fashion knitwear?
I want to be able to learn what I enjoy then do it and get paid.
What designers inspire you?
Sandra Backlund is a big inspiration. The way she has managed to work her way into the industry doing what she believes in is very admirable. She is an auteur of the fashion world and is clearly talented.
Which designer would you like to work for in the future?
Im looking at Alexander Mcqueen and hope to start something of my own soon.
Will you be selling your BA/MA/project collection?
I feel totally attached to my collection, it is priceless to me. Maybe in the future. I definitely thinking of producing more garments and have had a lot of interest from new fashion sites interested in selling my pieces so im looking into ways of developing my ideas into saleable garments.
Contact info:
Naami1@hotmail.co.uk
from spot on textiles
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