It’s week six, & I’m almost halfway through the semester – a milestone that feels both surreal & rewarding. With the first part of my initial assessment complete, I’m now finalising the second half, which is due this week. This stage includes producing the toiles for a men’s tailored blazer & trousers, along with full documentation of the pattern-making process from the original block.
For those unfamiliar with fashion design, a block is a basic template representing a standard body shape – such as a bodice, pant, or skirt. From this, designers create unique patterns by adding design lines & adjustments to bring their creative vision to life. A toile is a sample garment made to test the fit & refine the pattern before cutting into the final fabric. It’s the crucial stage where ideas start to move from paper to reality.
Although I made three fully lined jackets earlier this year, those were created from pre-made patterns. This project has been a completely different level of insight into tailoring, made even more valuable by the guidance of my technical mentor, Nasia Vlassopoulos, whose industry knowledge & design expertise have been incredible.
The Hero Garment Takes Shape
Last week, with encouragement from my mentor Darran Arabin-Gander, I created a paper prototype of my bodice with wings – the first tangible step toward bringing my hero garment to life. Using measurements from a dress model, I traced the design onto card, experimenting with variations – one wing flat, the other curved. When I pinned it to the mannequin, something clicked. Seeing it take form, even in paper, was the spark I needed to visualise the next phase.
I’ve since sourced salvaged sheet metal & plan to begin handcrafting the bodice this week. Once that’s underway, I’ll start on the skirt & chaps using the hot air balloon fabric, which feels symbolic – a material once used for flight, now repurposed for a garment that embodies transformation.
Collaboration & Creation
This project has become deeply collaborative, which feels fitting given its theme. My brother Andre will assist with the metal bodice construction, & a group of fellow creatives have offered to help with the phoenix design for the skirt. My plan is to project the phoenix outline onto the fabric, tracing & painting it together as we share stories of growth, recovery, & renewal.
The phoenix represents rebirth – rising from the ashes of the old, carrying forward only what’s essential. As we paint, we’ll embody that energy, each of us contributing our own journey of transformation to the piece. The process itself becomes part of the artwork.
Learning & Growing
Every week brings new challenges, new skills, & new insights. My vision is evolving as I continue to learn – from the technical foundations of tailoring to the emotional depth of storytelling through fashion. I’m reminded daily that design is not just about creating garments; it’s about embodying experiences, connections, & the power of becoming.
Piece by piece, stitch by stitch, this phoenix is preparing to take flight.
Larissa Sarina BAGLIERI 