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Issued:20/01/12
They may look like extras from a horror film, but a series of custom-made mannequins are challenging University fashion designers to create tantalising new catwalk designs.
The fashion team at Sheffield Hallam University is following up its sustainable wedding dress success with Alien Body, an exhibition taking place in the Cantor Building at the Sheffield Institute of Arts (SIA) Gallery from 27 January until 19 February.
The six mannequins have been created by fashion course leader Lesley Campbell to challenge students to be more creative and think about designing clothes to less conventional templates.
Lesley came up with the idea after realising that abandoning the constraints of a size 12 model could lead fashion students to explore new areas of design.
She said: "Alien Body is an exhibition of contemporary fashion, based on a direct response to an irregular form.
"Conventionally shapes and forms are derived from two-dimensional flat pattern cutting experiences with the designer having to visualise this volumetric translation in the mind's eye.
"These mannequins provide a mechanism for direct three-dimensional experimentation into unusual forms."
The Alien Bodies have been created by padding a conventional size 12 female mannequin until it no longer resembles a conventional shape.
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The exhibition display comprises six 'alien bodies' and a selection of garments and two-dimensional flat patterns from BA Fashion Design students at Sheffield Hallam University.
The garments were produced by undertaking a series of practical workshops and funding for the exhibition has come from the University's Art and Design Research Centre.
Alien Body takes place in the Sheffield Institute of Arts (SIA) gallery in the Cantor Building from Friday 28 January until Sunday 19 February in the Cantor Building on Arundel Street.
For press information contact: Laurie Harvey on 0114 225 2621 or email pressoffice@shu.ac.uk
