Abigail Jackson BA (Hons) Fashion
Look but Don't Touch
I am a womenswear designer focusing on print and unconventional tailoring. My collection in inspired by burlesque and cabaret. I became interested in cabaret whilst studying in Paris at LISAA - L'Institut Supérieur des Arts Appliqués, being exposed to different exhibitions as well as visiting The Moulin Rough and Crazy Horse Cabaret. My theme was also influenced by my own hobbies performing in aerial arts. Whilst at LISAA, I took classes in advanced pattern cutting which introduced me to tailoring and different technical techniques. I further developed these techniques in my collection, exploring how toile pinning techniques could become embellishment. I took this into my concept of 'Look but Don't Touch'. My collection focuses on ideas surrounding undressing. My silhouettes show suits falling off the body and the ways in which the undressing process can be elongated. The pinning embellishment covering the suit relates to the original burlesque influence as it's commonly misunderstood that cabaret and burlesque is about touch as opposed to titilation.
My practice focuses on contruction and ways in which new shapes can be created in tailoring.