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DNMT August- SpinyFlowerMantis
Published: 2010-08-29 06:27:00 +0000 UTC; Views: 20447; Favourites: 812; Downloads: 0
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Description
Edit-OH MY GOD DAILY DEVIATION THANK YOU
I thought it was an error when I woke up and had so many feedback messages!
This is definitely one of my favorite things I've ever designed, and I'm glad so many other people like it too!
Thank you to Lilyas for featuring, and everyone else for your support!
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For the Monthly Theme.
Contest description:
Insect-O-Gram
"Message delivered by insect."
With autumn closing in and summer being at its peak we've decided to go with a more wacky theme this time around. Here's what you have to do - gather your gear (goggles, binoculars, cameras, the usual spying stuff) and start observing because you've got to come up with... insect haute couture! This challenge is all about designing an haute couture outfit inspired by the insect of your choice - mantises, beetles, pretty much whatever you can think of (except butterflies because that would be too easy and we wouldn't want that, would we?) in order to make your entry as original and as colorful as possible. Accessories required.
Include in your artist's comment:
- The name of your insect of choice and a short description
- The reason you chose it
- And a brief description of your design.
The insect I chose was the Spiny Flower Mantis, as depicted by in this lovely photo: [link]
I chose it because I was first drawn to the rainbow-colored wings, and also loved the swirls, spiked claws, and the crazy patterned body. I knew this insect would give me a lot to work with so I could be more crazy and creative with the design instead of staying more literal.
I loved the rainbow aspect, and wanted to play that up a bit more than in the actual insect, but I still wanted to stay true to it. The overskirts and shirred ruffles are inspired by the wings, the segmented and quilted parts are inspired by the body, the spikes are inspired by the claws, and the mesh is inspired by the texture of the wings.
Because the dress is so colorful and over the top, I thought it would be best to give my girl some simple black hair, but I threw on some "bug-eye" glasses to top off the look.
The diamonds on the skirt were inspired by the flaps (I don't know the technical term) hanging off the mantis's rear, and I pictured them being some sort of shiny thin plastic, creased down the middle. All the small red dots are gemstones. The skirt body and top I pictured being out of a shiny lycra spandex, so it would give off a little shimmer, quilt well, and fit really snugly. The rainbow ruffles are ombre dyed pleated organza.
I made the bag more conservative than the outfit because, in theory if this look was ever to be made (which honestly, I'm not sure is possible), I know most people wouldn't have a practical use for such a dress, so the bag could be something they would buy and actually use. I tried to pull elements from the entire design and simplify them down into something more mainstream.
Additionally, I was inspired by this dress by Thierry Mugler: [link]
And Lady Gaga's Living Dress: [link]
Like I said, I don't know if this is even possible to make, and if it is, it would be horribly expensive, but hey, the challenge said "haute couture", so I figured I'd have as much fun as I could before I go back to school and have to design things that people can actually wear
Sadly I ran out of time while working on this, so it's not as polished as I'd like it to be, but I love how the design came out, so when I have time I'll probably finish it up and make a nice background and such, and then resubmit it.
EDIT-
I won! Again!
Thank you everyone so much for your support!
Here's the lovely description they gave it
"Haute couture at its peak, a beautiful example of creativity at its utmost! Considering that the insect in question was not a particularly easy subject to interpret it is a truly impressive achievement and the designer's approach is pleasantly surprising. A very commendable effort that deserves our highest appreciation!"
Featured here: [link]
and here:[link]
Related content
Comments: 243
So I heard you got all kinds of hell just cause you got a DD, so I'd like to say something about your art piece. I tend to be a person that hates a lot of art on DA cause I tend to have high standards in art (loving the professional more than the amateur pieces) but I must say that I actually love this piece.
Majority of artists are always scared to experiment with a lot of colour. They either choose to do monochromatic artworks or artworks with a majority of 3 colours that work well together. You have went beyond all fear and not only have you used a lot of colour and not only have you drawn it out in an artistic form but you have made it work so well together. Something like this obviously cannot be worn on the street or some fancy dinner party.. but the shit I've seen on runways? this would be the best thing out there.
I don't know if you love Lady Gaga or not, but I'm sure you notice how much she has changed the world with her style, songs and behavior... a trend setter that's what she is and I must say.. you are the Lady Gaga of fashion.. i hope that doesn't offend you but trust me the statement is a compliment.
Never give up on your art or your dreams.. no matter how much they say you "cant" keep on pushing back and prove to them that you can!
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Aww, thank you so much!
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Whoa, talk about wild colors. Beautiful. A+!
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wow, really complicated design. brilliant done. lovely colours. love what you've done with your design
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As previously mentioned, I'm not too certain about the spikes on the gloves, but I'll say that I like everything else about it. I understand this is supposed to stand out and is not for normal wear, and I think in that aspect, you've done very well. I'm very certain if I saw this down a runway or a costume party, my first thought would be that it's outrageous, albeit in a good way.
The colors make the whole thing stand out, and I really appreciate the details placed at the top of the costume as well as the purse. I actually like the shoulder and arm piece at the side, I think it compliments it quite well. I'm fond of the masquerade mask as well, really. ;D
Sweet job. ;D
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Has anyone said anything about Lady Gaga yet? I could totally see her wearing this.
Wonderful concept, I love the 'poof' around the hips and the flared base. Very classic, yet new. For the arm that's hidden, does the lace work go all the way to the hand and/or around it? The chitin on the left arm looks almost like it's too much, but it's like it belongs there anyways. And the coordinating purse? Epic.
Wish I could pull something like this off!
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Several people have, actually.
Thank you!
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Okay, so from what I've gathered art should limit color use and texture. Fashion should also only represent whats already been done. And "How dare you try anything unusual!".
Its wonderful, hun. Don't feed into the trolls. You have something their jealous of.
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Thank you!
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Okay, so from what I've gathered art should limit color use and texture. Fashion should also only represent whats already been done. And "How dare you try anything unusual!".
Its wonderful, hun. Don't feed into the trolls. You have something their jealous of.
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So... I've read a few of the comments and I admit my first reaction was also along the lines of 'What, this is a DD?" But, the focus being on the design or idea is a very valid point (and as for backgrounds, I don't do fashion design and most of my sketches don't have backgrounds, they're just such a pain).
I recall doing a little of something like fashion design in school, and indeed we were encouraged to just trace from some images and pop our design on top. I'm guessing the base figure here isn't traced? In which case good on you for doing it yourself
For the design itself:
I'm not terribly fond of the spiked glove, I'm not sure how it goes around her hand either (like a glove, like a mitten? This is why I mentioned using hand refs). I like the way you've done the kind of... Petticoats of the skirt, they remind me a lot of what a ballerina wears. Somehow you've managed to capture the stiff yet light quality that sort of fabric has, it's a difficult thing to do. I'm curious about what the middle of the skirt might be made off, it certainly looks interesting (though potentially constricting and difficult to walk in, but as you mentioned this is a costume not an everyday garment). Not sure how I feel about the bits hanging on the lower part of her dress... Oh, unless they're made of fabric? That could look quite neat, they might swish about in the wind and as she walks.
My biggest beef is probably just with the spikes. Because... I guess I see spikes around a lot, and for me I'd like to see them done in a slightly different way (my mind things in fantasy-world-type armour that might resemble the claws on the mantis more closely, but I've no idea as to how that could be translated into a fashion design without adding something huge and clunky. Hmm.) Perhaps if her spiked arm could have had something resembling her mask? That way the two could be visually linked together the way her other arm is linked with her chest.
I don't see anything wrong with thee colours either (except for the green glove, I seem to have it in for that arm of hers, poor thing), I think they work well together.
Well, there you go. I've tried my best to be helpful by pointing out what I don't and do like along with what could be done to improve some things (keeping in mind that this is my opinion and it may be perfectly fine as it is to you). Congrats on the DD and winning that contest ^^
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Thank you for the detailed critique!
When I first started taking fashion classes, we did trace most of our figures, but yes, this one was done from my head. I've never been good at drawing hands, even with references
Now that you point it out, the green of the glove really doesn't go with the rest of the outfit. I hadn't even noticed that before
Thanks again!
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That is out of this world. I could definetly see Lady Gaga wearing that. Although personaly I wouldn't wear it, I love the bodes(?) and the colours
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It's very eye-catching and different, you know? Don't let haters or trolls stifle your creativity. It's a wonderful, imaginative piece of art.
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I wouldn't even bother with all those who feel the need to be so rude. If you people don't like it, then just leave it at that and don't bother with the comments. I'd just ignore them. Anyway, I really like this and love all the colors.
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You're very welcome
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A well deserved DD...
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I really like this a lot, it catches your eye, and honestly, it kinda cheered me up. It's really really artistically inclined, and isn't fashion just a different way to express yourself?
Just ignore the trolls, if they can't say anything nice, they shouldn't say anything at all, right? ^^
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