Bella Corder
Diploma in Fashion
Design Academy of Fashion
Specialisms: Embroidery / Sustainable Fashion/Textiles / Apparel
Location: Cape Town, South Africa
Bella Corder
First Name: Bella
Last Name: Corder
Specialisms: Embroidery / Sustainable Fashion/Textiles / Apparel
Sectors: Fashion/Textiles/Accessories / Fashion/Textiles/Accessories / Fashion/Textiles/Accessories
My Location: Cape Town, South Africa
University / College: Design Academy of Fashion
Course / Program Title: Diploma in Fashion
About
I have a strong passion for the work that I do and
the things I create. My interests include embroidery and textile exploration, and I find pleasure in translating my memories, surroundings and inspirations into these tactile creations.
I am a dedicated, passionate and hard-working individual who is excited about the new and upcoming opportunities that are emerging, not only in the fashion industry, but in other creative fields too. My goals are to communicate creative excitement, create awareness about sustainable and artisanal fashion and to connect with others through my work. I am incredibly optimistic about the future of fashion and I am grateful to be able to share my creative interpretations with others.
Fashion is my language of choice.
LILAH&LOOM: Graduate Collection Portfolio of work
At the beginning of this year, I embarked on the last year of studies at Design Academy of Fashion. This year, I developed my own brand, LILAH & LOOM, and my first-ever collection, 'Bloomery'. This Portfolio is a true representation of my passions, interests and the dedication and time I put into my work. It was truly a collaborative effort, and I am grateful to have this opportunity to share my creative excitement and interests with others.
Competitions
Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2024
lilah&loom: graduate collection Campaign
At the beginning of last year, I embarked on my final year of studies at Design Academy of Fashion. I developed my own brand, LILAH & LOOM, and my first-ever collection, 'Bloomery'. The Campaign shoot for 'Bloomery' was made up of an abundance of open space, a vast South African landscape, and gentle bodies that carried my garments so beautifully. I recreated a lounge set-up in the middle of an empty field in agricultural Stellenbosch. A harmonious feeling was created when my collection, the photography crew and this landscape collaborated to capture intentional moments. PHOTOGRAPHS Photographer: Andy Reeves CAMPAIGN FILM Director/ DoP: Ravi Gajjar Producer: Sue Norton Models: Emma Cochrane, Emma-Jane Metcalf, Nerine Koopman, Shae van Rooyen, Tumelo Mafuze
Competitions
Global Creative Graduate Showcase 2024
avant Garde: speak your mind- the symbiotic break
In the 4th term of my second year, we were assigned the task of designing an Avant Garde look surrounded around the theme 'Speak Your Mind'. We were encouraged to pick a social, political or environmental concern that we felt passionate about. I chose to focus on the coral bleaching phenomenon that is currently happening to coral reefs globally. This disastrous phenomenon is directly linked to human activity and global warming. Coral bleaching is when the coral animal turns transparent, allowing the white skeleton to be exposed from underneath. This happens when the microorganisms that live on the coral can no longer survive. This leads to the coral animal getting rid of all the organisms in its tissue, which means the tissue turns transparent. I was inspired by the whole process of coral bleaching and how the symbiotic relationship between the coral animal and the microorganisms break. Fleshy algae is also something that I was inspired by, which can be part of the breakdown of the coral.
Embroidery on denim jackets: Growing Mind- DMC embroidery thread (worn by the model) Bumble Bee - DMC embroidery thread and sequins
Senses & Sustainability workshop with Manuela Catania, founder of sustainable design project, Visionupia. During this workshop I learnt how to create a garment completely make from scrap fabrics and recycled materials. Using the 'grid' method, I was able to create this top. When Manuela asked us to think of a word that we thought best described our lockdown experience and the way we coped, I initially struggled to think of a word that was unique and that no one else might have thought of. I visualised the ocean and how the waves continuously break against the shore, nearly as if the ocean is coming to the shore in search of something important that is hard to find. Instead of giving up, the waves continue to return to the shore until it finds what it is looking for. This analysis reminded me of the time I spent in lockdown and how at times, all I wanted to do was give up. But because persevered, I got through that hard time and came out stronger on the other side. With this analysis in mind, I wanted to create a garment that truly represented persistence.
sunbird embroidery
Sunbird Embroidery Commission: -Malachite sunbird -Southern double-collared sunbird DMC embroidery cotton on cream linen.
aPPRECIATION AT ALTITUDE: fields menswear collaboration
We were assigned the task of designing 3 looks for the South African contemporary menswear brand, FIELDS. When designing these 3 looks, we had to consider the brands three sections: Soul, encompassing contemplation, purity, connection, and integrity; Art, including impactful work, creativity, and leadership and; Outdoor, the tactile, the natural environment, and physicality. APPRECIATION AT ALTITUDE: My design concept is based around the idea of giving credit to the land that our natural resources come from. Agricultural land in winter is a different type of beautiful. I am fortunate enough to be able to see this bare land from the air. My father is a pilot and we often go flying over the agricultural area near where we live. One day when we were flying, I noticed that amongst all the dryness, there was this acid green colour. This acid green colour was the colour of algae that was growing on the surface of small bodies of water in and around the crop land. it was magical to see. I was inspired by the shapes, textures, colours, resources and perspective of the land. I incorporation aviation into my designs too. I did this by including certain elements of the classic aviator jacket, such as the big patch pockets and the leather. I explored knitting and discovered couching stitch which I incorporated into a asymmetrical knitted vest
enveloped comfort: final constructed garments
Patterns and garments created in class. Frilly bandeau top with drawstring pants and Enveloped Comfort sponge mesh dress with "pockets of joy" and knitted textures.
I did some freelance design work for Belgian artist, Irma Sitter. I designed 7 graphic t-shirt designs incorporating her artworks, as well as back neck labels. I adapted her artworks and played around with placement, different elements and proportions.