The basis for our design is the creation of a shape that we designed
and die-cut from industrial felt, adapting for fashion the
architectural practice of creating form through the assemblage of
industrial, modular units.

Dress 1 is based on the assemblage of these modular units. The
unit was designed to attach to itself using tabs and slots. This simple
modular piece gave us the freedom to play and experiment with
form, assembling and disassembling the pieces to create ourfinal
design.

Dress 2 is based on the remnants left over from the process of
die-cutting the modular shape into the felt, expressing the void forms
in a field. Reuse of industrial scrap and reinvention of overlooked
materials is an increasingly important area of investigation by all
fields of design.

Material selections were made to emphasize contrast between the
matte, soft quality of the felt and the shiny, hard quality of the vinyl
and metal. In addition to the dialogue we attempted to create
between materials and forms, the use of an industrial process is
balanced by the handmade and hands-on process of creating the
final dresses.

At the conclusion of Fusion, the dresses will be reinvented: the
modular pieces will be taken apart and reassembled into a screen
wall that will hang in our office, blurring further the relationships
between architecture and fashion.

materials:
Grade F1 industrial felt
Knoll Textiles “Posh” vinyl
Chemetal aluminum

Christopher Straub

Christopher Straub is currently a designer on Season 6 of Lifetime's Project Runway: a competition reality program where fashion designers are creatively challenged week after week to show their skills while meeting the guidelines of each challenge. He won top honors on the first episode and continues to show the judges that he has the potential for greater things.

Christopher is a native to the Twin Cities and currently lives in Shakopee, Minnesota. At this time he is creating a collection of handbags and accessories that will premeir February 2010 in New York City.

www.christopherstraub.com


Katherine Gerdes

After graduating from the RSID in 2003, Katherine started designing for Target as well as her own self-named line. Most notably, Bravo's Project Runway recognized her talent where she was featured in the third season. Her line " Katherine Gerdes," can be found at The Design Collective here in Minneapolis and on katherinegerdes.com.

katherinegerdes.com



Russell Bourrienne

Russell Bourrienne has been designing clothes since the age of thirteen when he fell in love with Armani. Most known for his tailored, high-quality, vintage-inspired menswear, this recent award winner has been featured in numerous fashion shows, magazines, and television programs. Russell recently opened his atelier in the Minneapolis Uptown area and launched his website: russellbourrienne.com

russellbourrienne.com


Joy Teiken

Joynoelle is the signature line of Minneapolis-based designer, Joy Teiken. The Joynoelle collection of demi-coutoure garments takes inspiration from classic lines, lush and fabulous fabrics, and playful details. In addition to being featured in many national and international publications, including WWD, Real Simple Magazine, and Daily Candy NYC, she had dressed several Hollywood starlets and participated in many New York City, Chicago, and LA runway events and trunk shows.

www.joynoelle.com