Zofia Fijalkowska
Textile and Fashion Design Degree
De Montfort University
Specialisms: Textiles for Fashion / Textiles - Print /
Location: Leicester, United Kingdom
Zofia Fijalkowska
First Name: Zofia
Last Name: Fijalkowska
Specialisms: Textiles for Fashion / Textiles - Print
Sectors:
My Location: Leicester, United Kingdom
University / College: De Montfort University
Course / Program Title: Textile and Fashion Design Degree
About
Currently a full time third year student studying Fashion and Textiles Design at De Montfort University specialising in print and hoping to begin a career in the creative industry. As a designer I’m drawn towards interesting texture and subtle patterns. I value having an environment where i am free to be creative and pushed to develop. I believe that everyone should be in a constant state of learning, however much expereince you have.
'What Remains' explores the short story of a shipwreck, taking inspiration from the imagery I created when writing the story. Historical fashion and textiles played a large role in my research, taking elements from 16th - 18th century fashion and craftsmanship and translating them into textiles samples for a modern audience. Much of my practice revolved around elevating fabrics that would otherwise be discarded into luxury pieces. Texture plays a large role in my work and many of my samples layer techniques and surface elements to create complex and intricate patterns. Being experimental and playful with my work led to many chance encounters with interesting surface designs, and at times I enjoyed letting the materials take over and surrendering my control of pattern. "Clinging to the treasures did nothing to stop the inevitable as they sank, and with them her body was pulled down. Amidst the chaos, the girl’s descent had gone unnoticed, and below the waves emerged a silent sanctuary. As one chest drifted deeper into the dark abyss, the pressure of the water began to mount, and the lid creaked open. Treasure dusted the sea floor and left nothing but a trail of ghostly fabric in its wake. Her body lay entombed on a frozen throne of gold and silks, hand still gripping a string of pearls."
Highlights of my final major project
The initial concept for this project was the relationship between land and sea, salt and fluidity versus solidity. Naturally, this evolved and became more focused on restriction and the feeling of being submerged or trapped, but the ongoing themes of hard and soft remained as well as certain aesthetics linking back to the ocean. Much of the textiles in this project was multi media, with crocheting with rope, the creation of bio plastics and the use of latex on leather being the most exciting developments.