Last year I entered the Dowerin Field Art Wear competition. It challenges designers to create a piece of farm art for the body.
I heard a brief ad on the radio about it a few times on the way to town and thought “I could do that!” After a bit of internet research I had some basic ideas, but it really all came to me as I was creating it.
It was really a case of thinking of what sort of fabric is used on the farm and my abilities. I know
I can sew, but what materials will be my limit and am I able to learn how to weld and drill metal. It has to be wearable, so the weight was a consideration. It had to be practical enough, but inventive enough. It was very experimental!
So, what can be made from these simple items found around the farm?
I knew I wanted to make a cocktail style dress with ruffles so I used hessian bags and bird netting for the ruffles. I made a head piece from the scallops cut off from and old paint tin lid that I glued together to look like fish scales + some other rusted junk and fly net. The necklace is made of big metal nuts tied together with cable ties. I finished it off with a barbed wire bustle.
So here it is..
Photography by Adelle Cousins (my sister)
Model Sheradin Dinsdale
I was very happy with how it turned out, and extremely honoured to win 2nd prize against some VERY talented designers who created some amazing pieces.
This is the necklace…
This year I hope to go one better! I can’t wait to show you my entry, it’ll be made of canvas, rip stop (used in horse rugs), mozzie netting, wire and bullet shells! There will be a big hint of wedding bells’!! So excited!
I’d love to hear what you think!
Love Kirsty x
Obsessive Creative Design 