Last week Keep The Wolf visited Mica Bihal on her recent photo shoot for her AW 2011 one off pieces. Mica showed us around the set and shared her ideas behind these interesting designs and fantastic shoot.
Mica tell us about the design's and where your inspiration
came from ?
The jacket collection was based on the industrial revolution and child labourers, but the tailoring aspect was a key aspect that I kept in mind throughout the design process. I looked at the structures of the machinery, the oversized clothing the children wore, which were generally hand me downs from older relations.
The Jersey collection was inspired by Marcello Morandini, an Italian designer and architect. He studies geometric structures, which he converted by movement and changed into new forms, I worked around using basic pattern blocks and combining and manipulating them together to create a garment that was almost seamless, with hand knitted details
Tell us about the location?
Why did you choose to design for men ?
I've always been a womenswear designer and had never explored the menswear industry, which i found really interesting, especially with how fast its growing now, and it finally getting the recognition it deserves, at fashion week and across the media. I think a huge influence for me moving to menswear has come from my family. My dad, uncles, brother and cousins all have an interest in fashion, and take pride in what they wear.
Describe the general process you go through to design and realise a piece of clothing?
I usually research and sketch out initial ideas simultaneously, and eventually begin to work on the stand and manipulate pattern pieces. So you could say i realise a piece of clothing once its in 3D and on the body, rather than from just a 2D flat sketch.
What do you believe makes a quality article of clothing?
A well considered construction of the garment, good proportion of colour, shape or textures, but most importantly its got to make the wearer feel confident and comfortable when worn.
How do you prepare for a fashion shoot?
I prepare a few looks for the clothing I’m shooting, to play around with on set and tend to style and choose the looks according to the model I’m using. A lot of coffee, tea, biscuits and plenty of chocolate help keep everyone going.
What do you hope for the future?
I initially wanted to focus on just the pattern cutting and construction side of it all, but since doing my degree, working in the industry and being on placements I’d like to set up my own label, men’s and womenswear, and look into, or be involved in the ethical side of fashion.