Fashion Designer Mazri Ismail On Project “Indigo”
his 100-ways-to-wear something
“Indigo.”
The theme for my last school project was Indigo, and I’d to make it sustainable.
I was inspired by the Hokusai Wave.
Wanted to melt plastic, make into garment. But Iris Van Herpen. Took it further, incorporating transparency. On research, the painting was popularised the same time as indigo dye in Japan. Wanted to mimic waves: mouldable, shapeless, never constant, what it is.
Handsewed 3,500 buttons, handsewn. Incorporated sustainability into my “shawl” because it can be worn 100-over ways. It’s about 1 x 0.5m.
Pushed conceptual while staying commercial. A lot of peers didn’t think I could finish in time. Feedback was good: I interpreted the theme well.
Constants in my design are gender fluidity, transparency. In school, I specialise in creative pattern cutting and tailoring. I like juxtaposition.
Is it possible?
I do look up trends, industry. It helps predict the benchmark for the future.
There’s definitely concern: am I going to get a job in fashion design? There are other options: merchandising, styling, creative/art direction, sales. But I still want to do it, have it a part of life.
Why fashion?
As a kid, loved playing with mom’s laundry, dress-up. Project Runway was popular. Making clothes seemed glamourous, aspirational.
Am an arts student. Studied technical theatre: sound, light, and set design, arts, production management. Helps organise thoughts. Took a part-time course learning sewing, drafting.
Parents aren’t supportive of arts school. I fund university myself. Fashion Design at LASALLE. I knew it’d be hard work, but wanted to learn skills, find my aesthetic. School only teaches you skills. They’ll give you themes, specialisations.
It’s collaborative, very broad. Make it your own.
