E L I N K A R A C A G I L
Textile collection for London College of Fashion press show 2018 Designers Elin Karacagil and Valia Kapeletzi Photographed by Lara Angelil Model: Isabel Jones from Storm Model Management
Textile collection for London College of Fashion press show 2018 Designers Elin Karacagil and Valia Kapeletzi Photographed by Lara Angelil Model: Isabel Jones from Storm Model Management
Binary Embodiment
Binary Embodiment is the debut textile collection by Elin Karacagil and Valia Kapeletzi presented at the London College of Fashion graduate show, exploring sculptural textiles with relation to the human form and movement on the body. Celebrating fashion process and what textiles can be when merging different processes and material together, the collection is an exploration of material and surface and its interaction with body movement. Driven by material and the creative process of the making, the collection explores the traces, movements and behavior of material through an interactive and experimental approach to design. Taking on a multidisciplinary approach, the designer duo convey their intrigue with materiality and experimentation that inform both of their design ethos. Centering around the idea of wanting to create abstract and sculpture like forms the collection aims to show textiles as an art form that once interacting with the body serves another function.
Combining the prints by Elin and the embroidery by Valia allows their work to really cross lines of creativity, where screenprinted designs meet weaved structures. The prints in the collection are shaped by Elin’s influence taken from the artistic creative process, celebrating something as simple as a brushstroke to communicate the randomness of the creative process as well as the planned and delicate. The woven structures of the collection can be recognized as sculptural forms that capture motion within the thread work. Integrating the weaving into the printed fabric melds the two together as one, transforming their work into a new piece of fabric that produces contrasting textures, delicate colour overlays and transforming gestures that exhibit a passion for the artisanal.
Trapped paint in PVC, dramatic threadwork, layered printed silk, tactile surfaces, colour that work in gradients and tonal transformations are some of the components that make up the collection. The contrast in material throughout the collection gives a sense of fluidity and feeling of transformation, where each component becomes a continuation of what it is linked to.