TO SEE MYSELF…
I began these designs reminded that representation matters in creating one’s own sense of self. People of color are still sorely under-represented in product offerings and the visualisations. As an African American woman, I don’t always see myself in the artwork & imagery presented in wider product offerings.
Building upon that, I created a concept design line of clothing utilizing prints & patterns influences along with the graphic images of these girls to display the diversity in the African & African American community.
She Looks Like Me! well… sorta…
My earliest memory of feeling represented was on a family trip to Hawaii & the purchase of an off-brand styled Barbie® doll. She was intended to be of Polynesian descent and styled in a stereotypical Hawaiian hula skirt. A tourist toy. All I saw an image of someone who’s skin tone matched my own better than the “black” dolls of the day & who’s hair had highlighted streaks mirroring my own Californian sun-bleached hair. (this doll is similar)
My Dolls
Inspired by Japanese Kabuki dolls & African wax printed textiles. I brought those looks together in my designs. I actively worked to highlight the array of skin tones, hairstyles, textures, & artistic color patterns in the clothing. These were designed using Adobe Illustrator incorporating blends, pattern fills, simple shapes and some more complex illustration.
An Inspiration Starting Point
These were images that set me on my design path. Along my journey, I also incorporated the concept of paper dolls. I liked the idea that my dolls could mix & match their clothing, yet still maintain their individual styling.
The Dolls & Their Names
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Kyra
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Esmée
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Zahara
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Monique
Color Palettes
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This tis This is my ready to wear palette with an emphasis on the tribal prints and patterns I created. I combined black, hot pink and cream with chambray and these textured prints. Ideally, these would be printed on chambray fabric, twill or canvas
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This palette is for the activewear styles, highlighting bright colors and fun motifs. I wanted to make sure these colors were more interactive and richer given that most often these fabrications would be cotton, French terry or spandex. All of which can support brighter, more saturated colors.
Foray into Coding with Monique & Kyra
I took the opportunity earlier this year to begin a coding class, via MIT using the program Scratch®. It was interesting and geared primarily towards children, but it was fun times for me.
Some of the challenges for this project was to create a few extra poses of my dolls, creating dialogue for this little video and additional backgrounds.
Should you or anyone you know want to create your own coding project, head over to the site… check out the button below.
A More Artistic Slant…