Aida
Aida was inspired by taking history and reworking it to be something engaging and modern that still oozes historical reference. The sleeves in particular are reflective of the exuberant volume seen in 19th century leg of mutton sleeves but inverted into a bishop sleeve as was popular in the 1960s.
Aida is created out of a blue linen and fully lined.
Aida was born through a lot of different shirt workshops, exploring shapes of sleeves and re-examining what makes a shirt a shirt. Through these exercises the designer has fallen in love with the bishop sleeve and began to look at the shapes of these sleeves in more detail.
Aida is also about the study of cycles. An excess of volume directly followed by a fitted shape was found to be best to communicate this idea which comes directly from fashion cycles - the adaption and changes made to the shirt throughout history reflected how much of fashion history has developed. Fashions will fade in one time and be re-visited by designers decades or centuries later, much like a cycle.
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This design is intended to appeal to a modern audience despite reflecting practices that are centuries old. She is a blend of the historical elegance and silhouettes the designer is so fascinated by whilst simultaneously presenting them in a set style which is a popular choice in recent years for more formal wear.
Linen was the fashion fabric chosen for Aida in this bright peacock blue colour. This colour breathes some youthfulness into the design as it is a step away from a muted business suit like colour.
Her lining was a very light 100% cotton poplin, she is fully lined as linen is known for fraying and it is important for her finishes to look very polished. This method of finishing also makes her more comfortable against the wearers skin.