BlighTee. Wearable architecture and cultural symbolism
Background
Around Perth, Australia there's plenty of faux tudor architecture. This made me think of England/englishness and became fascinated by the 'taking a bit of home with you' and portable familiarity. Being overseas myself this hit a nerve and it makes perfect sense that people 'recreate' a bit of the home when they move to a new country and you see it with lots of other nationalities as well.
When it comes to England, historically the tudor style is the most exported english architectural style (and arguably our greatest period in history). I worked in construction at the time and was literally building on a daily basis. This lead me to conceive taking 1) Structure the tudor framework and 2) Historical symbolism to produce something interesting. Could you make a t-shirt the way a tudor house is made with its individual white panels stitched together with a black framework for example? What would it be used for?
Concept
Recreating the design essence of tudor with its distinctive structural frame and english histrionics as a form wearable architecture and symbolism; implying England without words or icons. An exercise in taking the genetic information from one design form and transplanting it into another.... the simplicity of St George but with a twist.
Context
In Northbridge, Perth WA the main hub for drunken lunacy, my suspicions were confirmed as the British Pub there was faux tudor. Tudor: architectural beacon and shorthand for implying the homeland. Nothing says England more than a pub.
Of course this boozer was showing football everywhere and that made me think of the footy top. Football jerseys are generally horrible lets face it. Most kits are unpleasant on professional players, let alone on blokes with british chips and lager bodies, so I wanted to design something I could wear as a alternative - less sport, more design and still be the England. This was of course conceptualised before the 2010 World Cup debacle. My support for my national team has since lost it's lustre.
Prototypes
The prototypes seen here are using black gaffer tap on a white tee; after being selected from dozens of design variations. I haven't created a panel version as first envisaged; but as prototypes these are very useful and successful in the conveying my ideas. A matt finish is definitely preferable though...
