The Triumph Inspiration Award (TIA) is a global lingerie design competition dedicated to challenging the creative talent of young Fashion & Contour Design students around the world.
In honour of Triumph's strong global heritage the design motto for this year is "Dragons & Butterflies" with an underlying "East meets West" theme that invited students to create a truly sensational lingerie showpiece that fully explored all aspects of the creative brief.
The 16 designs will be showcased at an exclusive catwalk event and judged by a panel of celebrity, industry and fashion experts at the Triumph Inspiration Award UK Final in London on the 23rd of May.
The UK winner will then go onto compete against 36 other international finalists at the global TIA final in Shanghai in October 2012.
For more information about the Triumph Inspiration Award, please visit the website:
www.triumphinspirationaward.com
The print which is created, was inspired from butterfly patterns and wings, manipulated with photographic symmetry. The shape and silhouette has been inspired from the wings of butterflies and the armour of a dragon, with a split cup to add an optional provocative edge. The garments contrasted colour palette portrays a balance between the hard and soft materials, both working in harmony, much like the Ying & Yang symbol. My garment represents a balance between both worlds, a synthesis for unity.
Inspired by Western interpretation of Eastern traditions, the piece takes its name from the Chinese legend Liang Zhu. With Shanghai earning its title Paris of the East during the 1930s, the piece reflects the sexual liberation of young women in this era. Created in traditional Chinese brocade with Swarovski embellishment, the flirtatious piece creates a contemporary take on traditional design.
My design "Ethereal Fragility" is primarily based on the Butterfly, however I only took inspiration from certain aspects, the shape, structure and movement. Inspired by the shape of butterfly wings, I used heart shaped detailing on the bra cups, this was also mirrored in the suspender skirt. Curved lace petal shapes sweeping down the body, mimicking butterfly wings as well as their movement through the air, the movement of the butterfly also inspires the suspended skirt piece. As it is suspended, when the model walks it floats and moves similar to a fluttering butterfly. The embroidery on the bra and suspender skirt is inspired by the structure of butterfly wings, using silk cording and creating fragile lines similar to that of butterfly wings. I have used a blue grey colour scheme and lace fabrics, the grey represents how fragile they can be, while the lace represents how beautiful they are.
My concept marries the dragons strength & butterflies fragility. The dragons mythical reptilian scales are reflected in the embellished front & the butterflies delicacy in the Chantilly lace back. This paradox of elements reflect their framework, personalities & human nature. People put up protective shields, but as soon as their backs are turned they are as vulnerable & delicate as the butterfly
The Inspiration for my design came from Eastern tattoo art and its popularity within Western society, also the history of the use of tattooing within each of these cultures. My design illustrates the strength that was felt through the transition from the restriction tattoo's once generated to the freedom of expression that is now portrayed through exquisite tattoo art.
My designs were focused on construction and structure. I did not want to resrict my design process by looking at either the dragon or the butterfly; instead i wanted to explore the juxtaposition between both beautiful creatures. With the strength of the dragon and the beautiful delicacy of the butterfly i wanted to create a garment that mirrored both these important elements. I used thick guipure lace as applique detail all over the body; i kept the importance of symmetry strong throughout the design and also kept the colour choice neutral yet striking to once again portray the juxtaposition between both creatures.
For The Triumph Inspiration Award 2012 I drew inspiration for the theme Dragons and Butterflies from the links with fairytale and fantasy imagery. I wanted to create a piece that would tell a story and transport viewers to a dream world. My main inspiration came from the Chinese Cinderella story of Yeh Shen, it was extremely important to me that the Chinese element of the theme was represented within my piece. The colour and shape of my garments where my focus, I chose a vivid red that was striking and rich. Red in China represents happiness and this was a factor that really drew me towards the colour as I wanted my piece to represent positivity, excitement and beauty. For the shape I wanted to portray traditional Chinese tradition therefore I included a high neck to echo the style of the Cheongsam. I wanted to create drama with this piece which leads me to the bottom half of the garment, a tight figure hugging skirt with a large fishtale and train creates an opulent, fantastical look. My fabric choices really echo my passion for lingerie and the intimate link with the Triumph brand. I used a light stretch mesh and lace embroidery to create a completely sheer garment that is still undoubtedly lingerie.
My design concept “Fragmented Intensity” is based on the translucency of butterfly wings and the vibrancy and multitude of colours they behold. It features a mesh body with tubular piping; reflective of the veins apparent in the wings of butterflies. Its billowing sleeves are suggestive of butterfly wings, and are hand painted. The beading on the cups of the body reflects the intense flashes of colour seen on the butterfly in flight. The butterfly itself heavily inspired me. Although such a small and delicate creature, the boldness of the colours within its body are so striking and I picked up on this in my design.
My design is based on conflicting ideas about femininity and the idea that a woman should embody many different ideals. Old fashioned ideas about femininity associate it with softness and vulnerability; however women are now also expected to be strong and emotionally tough, ready to cope with all obstacles. We must be lovers, fighters, mothers, we must be ruthless in the workplace and domestic goddesses and perfect parents at home. My design is a physical expression of this struggle, I used the theme of a butterfly and a dragon as two very different images of what a woman is expected to be. I also drew inspiration from the spines and spikes of lizards and reptiles - ‘modern dragons’, and theatrical couture costumes.
Inspired by a tragic fire at the taxidermy museum Deyrolle, Paris, the story of a battle between the Dragon and the Butterfly unfolds. The piece is described by a clashing of elements, both physical and cultural as Western minimalism meets colourful, Eastern drama. The corset features a linear quilted design to contrast with the traditional curved shaping whilst the train is literally 'Touched by Fire' with singed edges and textured 'debris'.
I experimented widely with light and the effects it created when shone through various materials. I decided on using paper to create the outer of the garment to reflect the plain and delicate chrysalis that the garment is inspired by. The shaping around the body is created through folds as opposed to seams as the garment is designed to ‘cocoon’ the wearer. The bright printed lining of the garment represents the colourful butterfly concealed within the chrysalis and sharply contrasts with the outer. The printed interior is entirely hidden to the onlooker until the garment is illuminated and the moment of transformation occurs.
I started by researching yin yang, opposites and balance. Photos of the Hypolimnas Dexithea butterfly directed me to the theme of size and the scales on butterflies and dragons. The idea of small things creating bigger things came to light and how size is relative. This was central to creating my print design. The body and leg pieces represent yin and yang and how together they create balance.
My design is inspired by the first cycle of metamorphosis. During my research I came across macrophotography of owl butterfly eggs which instantly got my creative juices flowing. These images depicted beautiful yet simple sheer spheres with thicker white sections that I transcended into the structure of my piece. I was also inspired by the striking cocoon's of many of the butterflies I researched, flashes of bright green created a dramatic and eye catching look which I wanted to incorporate. The white lace and beading represents the delicate nature of butterflies themselves.
Severine was inspired by Betty Draper from Mad Men and Severine from Luis Bunuel’s Belle De Jour, two women who are innocent and delicate yet with hidden depths. Deep red motifs on Chinese snuff bottles and bank notes influenced the silk painted dragons in red on flesh toned silk crepe with red beading details. The high waisted suspender knicker and soft bullet bra was inspired by lingerie from the 1950’s & 1960's.
