mhippisley@ecuad.ca


Megan Hippisley

Industrial Designer


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Mixed Media Gown


Fall 2023

Women's small/medium/large

Canvas, black knit fabric, polyester lining, tulle, brass chain, copper hoops
This project was a gown designed to combine both fabric and metal, blending hard and soft materials into a wearable object. For the base structure, I created a corset with spiral steel boning, providing the strength needed to support the weight of a metal hoop skirt. The skirt was constructed using copper piping for the hoops, with brass chains soldered in place to connect and stabilize the structure. To ensure the gown could accommodate at least three different sizes, I added a fabric panel in the back of the corset for adjustable lacing, and the skirt itself also features a laced closure for added flexibility. This combination of materials and thoughtful design created a striking yet adaptable piece.


Process 

The process began with rough sketches, in which I explored different shapes, materials, and structural ideas. I refined these sketches over time, focusing on how the fabric and metal elements could work together to create a balanced and wearable design. This planning stage helped me map out key details like the corset structure, hoop skirt shape, and decorative elements. 
 

The next step was to begin patterning, starting with the corset since it would serve as the base structure to support the weight of the skirt. I began by draping my design directly on a dress form, carefully shaping the fabric to achieve the desired fit and structure. Once satisfied, I transferred the draped design onto paper to create a proper pattern for construction. 


After completing the pattern, I moved on to creating the prototype to test the fit and structure. Since I was mostly happy with how it turned out, I made only a few minor adjustments to the pattern before moving on to constructing the final version.
 

To make the final corset, I used a suit lining for the interior, a black knit material for the outer shell, and canvas to stabilize the structure. I created the boning channels using bias tape and inserted spiral steel boning for support. The process involved sewing the fabric, ironing the seams flat, adding the boning channels, and inserting the boning itself. I then used bias tape to close the bottom edge and finished the garment with topstitching for a clean look. I finished the structure of the garment by sewing spiral steel boning into the sleeves to add structure and shape. Finally, I added eyelets to the back for lacing and adjustability.


For the skirt, I bent copper piping around a bike wheel to form the hoops and then soldered brass chains to connect them for stability. I had planned to laser cut the belt itself, but instead, I laser cut the pattern from acrylic and used it as a guide to cut the belt by hand. Afterward, I added layers of tulle to soften the overall look. Finally, I finished the piece by adding eyelets for lacing and testing the fit to ensure everything came together as intended. 


Final Gown





 mhippisley@ecuad.ca