Sofia Clarke

HIGH FUNCTIONALITY CLOTHING
MERAKI 17
Designing for the mature generation.

“Meraki 17 creations are structured and functional for the artic and beyond, to fuel explorers to the up most, to kick- start those unforgettable memories of endless adventures with practical clothing. To supply those who are eager to explore the wilderness with protection and warmth with maximum durability weather proof fabrics ready to exploit the world’s beauty.”
To be worn comfortably for climates in the artic and still hold the sophistication and look smart on their adventures. Strictly for those that love the outdoors, the wilderness and the Countryside.
I want all designs worn with pride and to stand out setting a great trademark for only those very few people who will invest in the designs as well as comfort, remembered as a life time iconic piece and be proud of the purchase.
The designs through out this concept research have been created through a huge influence of indigenous tribes from across the world this reflected my native background of Central America.
I have always been an adventurer and a lover of traveling and exploring the world. Continuously eager to know more I have explored an in depth concept of the indigenous tribes. Eager to explore a traditional British hobby of most men across England led me to research a popular area football. Known for one of the worlds known cults, I researched “football hooligans” and the clothing they wear to represent their mobs.
Today cults are the domination of identity instant sociological classifications are formed by devotion of those who are faithful towards a particular group or part of a society. Why is it people look to these alternative cults to become an enthusiast of violence. Football hooligans are violent supporters of association in football. Intimidating gangs of men are continuously participating in crime hiding their identity to dominate their rivals to create a disturbance, to gain power. Consistently flooding the news papers, rising in numbers and constructing more and more superior firms spreading vastly with the modern technology such as mobile phones and internet.
Throughout my research I came across two major artists that have a great influence on my work. Jimmy nelson being a Photographer of the indigenous cultures, known world wide not only for his photography and the amazing images captured whilst on his travels, but also those that have a background consisting of tribal ancestors that were extremely offended by the art he created with complaints strongly disagreeing with his statement “ before they go ” he created a very wrong picture to the world these people said, “ we are not dying out we are still strong and looking after our land, how dare someone give the wrong opinions out”. A lot of his inspiration grew from a huge passion from the influence of a photographer Edward sheriff Curtis, known for his photography of the native Indians.

The main garments in my collections are the big oversized winter jackets that are consistently flowing through out. Strong development ideas such as materials and inspiration involved from various hybrid materials that I have explored, such as mixing traditional tweeds, fabrics with strong influences of animal consumption, this consists of leathers and fur to create an outstanding out door collection that states clearly my tribal influence and the fabrics that are suitable for all weather conditions. Big oversized hoods and different, furs such as sheepskin, cowhide, dear hide and suede’s will be used. Strong structure of British fabrics complement the collection .
The transformation of smart high-end country wear. The collection was quick to absorb an immediate selection for my colour pallet, with the use of secondary and primary research of images of the outdoors, with strong bold colours such as dark greens and, navy blues, and splashes of red to resemble the Native Americans, to tailor my concept research.
Finishing off the outfits with various outdoor shades such as earthy toned browns and greens to reinforce the out doors will be used throughout my design development.
All designs are all finished with a transition easy alteration hybrid outer wear heavy weigh jackets, creating a practical piece of clothing for the autumn winter adventurer. Attention to detail was essential and important to complete all garments.
Focusing on comfort is important for my collection, making sure the garments I form will be forming the body with heavy weight materials at the same time ensuring easy movement for the body to move.
The experimentation of fabrics in this collection is endless; inspiration that has a natural adaption to different ideas, such as weaved materials that have reflective thread running through, splashes of native prints and exploration of fur hides and leather.
Designing with tweed, leather, jacket’s with sheep fur lining.
Fabrics to create this collection will be luxurious selection had great consideration such as, weather protected water proof quilts, waxed fabrics, tweeds, sheep skin, rabbit skins, fox and goat suede.
Throughout I have designed some strong elements of clothing such as jackets including that are functional, coats with oversized hoods, jackets with continuous sleeves into gloves. Cloves on ropes Finishing my silhouette’s I want to create back packs and accessories that are designed using baskets like the third world country use to carry food long distances on there backs and heads symbolising Honduras again, as well as my very own accessories, designed masks and headwear to represent my concepts of cults, such as “football hooligans”, replacing them with a “country inspired designs “
MY STUDY OF THE INDIGENOUS TRIBES IS AN ENDLESS EXPLORATION, continuously inspiring my fashion, the use of fur and on-going research of the archive expoditionists of the mountains and the outdoor adventurers will be continued.

MERAKI 17
(Definition: The soul creativity, or love put into something; the essence of yourself put into your work)