Katsura Shadows Shift Dress

Inspiration for my textile designs is often taken from the structure and rhythms in nature and architecture, focusing on geometries and pattern.

Prada
Prada, Tokyo. Photograph Gill Hewitt
Mori Art Centre. Photograph Gill Hewitt
Mori Art Centre. Photograph Gill Hewitt

I researched architectural buildings with patchwork-like structures and facades.

Roof Barcelona Market Place. Photograph Gill Hewitt
Roof Barcelona Market Place. Photograph Gill Hewitt

The impact and vitality of interlocking hexagons on the Barcelona Market Place particularly appealed to me.

Photograph Gill Hewitt
Photograph Gill Hewitt

An interesting combination of architecture and nature – leaves printed on metal perforated façade house in Kyoto. The shadows created by the addition of lights really enlivened the space (below).

Leaf shadows at night. Photograph by Gill Hewitt
Leaf shadows at night. Photograph by Gill Hewitt

In developing the design for my shift dress I was inspired by the fleeting existence of light and shadow, hoping to capture the delight and energy of that transient moment.

Collage of photographs from sketchbook, including leaf shadows on bamboo fence surrounding the Katsura Palace in Kyoto. Photographs by Gill Hewitt
Collage of photographs from sketchbook, including leaf shadows on bamboo fence surrounding the Katsura Palace in Kyoto. Photographs by Gill Hewitt
Leaf shadows by Gill Hewitt. To be digitally printed and needle punched.
Leaf shadows by Gill Hewitt. To be digitally printed and needle punched.

Photographic imagery is then digitally printed prior to being blended with a needle punch machine, integrating multiple layers of fabric, contrasting textures and colour. The finished fabric will shimmer in the light.

Gill Hewitt