FLOE
New Designers in category Colour in the Design award, September 2020. Spotted as ‘One to Watch’ design award by CIDA.
Approach to Sustainability Award, United Kingdom Nottingham Trent University June 2020. Final Degree Project 'Floe' awarded, judged by Professor Amy Twigger Holroyd, Associate Professor of Fashion and Sustainability.
Colour-changing wearable sculptures alert wearers to the effect of climate change. Inspired by temperature changes occurring in a nature. This collection is for sale as a one-off digital prints: One-Off S, One-Off W, One-Off BW.
2020 - dye sublimation by water-based inks - 120 x 200 x 2.8 cm - original / edition of 1: certificate of uniqueness
FLOE | is an innovative fashion collection, that is inspired by global environmental changes that vary on temperature. The purpose of these designs is to revive the connection between people and nature and carry a message about temperature changes. Colour-changing wearable sculptures alert the wearer to the effect of climate change. Screen-printed reactive inks respond to pollution such as water pollution, air pollution, or other toxicities. Collection named ‘Floe’ consists of two sub-collections 'Plus' and 'Minus', referring to weather changes in summer and winter seasons.
Colour-changing wearable sculptures alerts wearer to the effect of climate change.
Detachable body garment pieces are aimed to be digitally printed on 100% rPET® fabric and finished with smart inks by screen-printing.
inspired by avant-garde fashion. Collection reflects on fashion and sculptural 'pieces’ through communication with surrounding environment.
COLLECTION +
collection Plus consists of 20 designs. The selection of 7 are shown below in their neutral state - when they are located in a healthy environment.
Designs below are in their reactive state - when they are located in a toxic environment.
COLLECTION -
collection Minus consists of 20 designs. The selection of 7 are shown below in their neutral state - when they are located in a healthy environment.
Designs below, are in their reactive state - when they are located in a toxic environment.
Bradford Textile Society: Design Competition
Bradford Textile Society, United Kingdom April 2020. Design Competition 2019/2020, Award: COMMENDATION Section: P1, Sponsor: THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF DYERS, Design collection from Final Degree Project ‘Floe’ applied on gloves were awarded, judged by Bradford Textile Society
Floe for Fashion
COMPETITION CATEGORIES FOR PRINT: P1 / THE WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF DYERS AWARD - Award COMMENDATION 2020
Design Brief: Simple white dress to any occasion coated with hydrochromic ink. Material is made out of recycled waterproof breathable 100% polyester material (rPET). This fabric is water-resistant and quick to dry which means that is lighter than other waterproof materials, rPET is slightly transparent and allows skin to breath. During the rainy days in England your dress can cheer your mood by changing from white to colourful designs due to hydrochromic ink. Hydrochromic ink disappears with a water contact and appears back to white when dries.
END OF USE: recyclable 100% polyester, mono materiality, designed for recycling / up-cycling
Floe for Sculpture
COMPETITION CATEGORY FOR RESPONSIBLE DESIGN: F1 / THE ASSOCIATION OF FASHION AND TEXTILE COURSES AWARD
Design Brief: This concept is based on recycling and reusing of redundant materials such as single used plastics, especially plastics bags. Concept is inspired by nature and its temperature changes full of wild colours. Main aim is to connect people with nature and in the same time reuse materials which caused environmental pollution. Application is aimed to be on sculptural products / dividers placed inside or outside. Designs are focused to support people’s creativity, mood and create better environment for people.
Design development shows colour variations and experiments with melting plastics with application of sublimation printing. Main sample is printed on recycled waterproof breathable 100% polyester material (rPET). Frame on visualisations consists of laser cut acrylic which can be recycled at the end of use.
END OF USE: recyclable 100% polyester, acrylic, mono materiality, designed for recycling / up-cycling
New Designers / Colour in Design Award 2020 / ‘One to Watch’ Interview
“Intro: BA Textile Design Graduate from Nottingham University Sophia Cakova was shortlisted by the judges and nominated as a ‘One to Watch’ for her amazing project ‘Floe’ which features colour changing wearable sculptures that alert people to the effect of climate change. Read on about this talented designers’ unique practise and ethos.”
(Colour in Design Award 2020)
Interview
CIDA: How do you feel about being spotted by the judges as a One to Watch – what does it mean to you?
Sophia: I was amazed and delighted. I feel that it helped me with my confidence to stand out to the world.
CIDA: How important is colour in your work and how do you choose and narrow down colours?
Sophia: In my work, I am always trying to experiment with everything – materials I am using, colours or technique. Colour in my work is essential, I am trying to communicate my feelings and connection between human and nature through language of colours. I believe that combination of colours and its mixture is diverse like a human language itself.
CIDA: What is your main source of inspiration?
Sophia: I am driven by the psychology of colours and environmental changes. I am inspired by temperature
flow and contrasts caused by melting and freezing processes. I am driven by ecological impact and human footprint, plastic pollution and observation of our planet transformations.
CIDA: What makes you happiest/most fulfilled in your creative process?
Sophia: Communication with the audience, I feel the importance of a message which will be here for another generations. I am not a good speaker, but I feel fulfilled when I can create.
CIDA: What are you working on now?
Sophia: I am preparing for my next project for my master’s degree at Central Saint Martins where I will be focusing on connection between Art and Science.
CIDA: Where do you want to be in 3 years’ time?
Sophia: I have recently graduated; therefore, I feel the importance of a next two years at MA study where I am able to make new connections, collaborations and develop my personality further. In three years’ time, I would like to establish working relationships with artists, scientists and designers to collaborate on site-specific or off-site projects and products, aimed to help people in their everyday life.
CIDA: Creative high point?
Sophia: I feel inspired while I am outside and I can observe another people, their habits, their nature. I feel inspired while I am travelling and I can observe different places – those touched by people and those touched by nature, I love contrasts in everything, that I would say is my highest creative point.
CIDA: Creative low point?
Sophia: I have never thought about this before – but one thing (which I would say makes me uncomfortable and I feel depressed) is stereotype, in terms of stagnate. That is probably the reason why I am always trying not to stop dreaming.
CIDA: Is there one person during your studies/life who has really made a difference to your creative journey?
Sophia: I am more than thankful to have such a supportive people who surround me, and it’s hard to pick one. I believe that everyone who I have ever met has formed my personality and had an impact on my work. I have a great family who believes in me, supportive partner and amazing friends and tutors who encourage me during my journey. I am very happy to have them in my life and very pleased to be a part of their lives.
CIDA: What is your favourite colour?
Sophia: My favourite colour is the one which can transform – I love fluid movements and variability of each colour. It’s formation through all senses of tactility, visibility, taste and sound connected with a whole spectrum of colours we can ever imagine.
(Colour in Design Award 2020)