FAT Group Project

Many myths have surrounded the on goings of Brownsea Island, situated within the world’s 2nd largest natural harbour of Poole. Totally untouched and unaffected from the outside world, we were inspired and found out the truth on our group trip to Poole.

Throughout the world, it is rumoured that models in the fashion industry are not real and of a different species; almost genetically modified. Brownsea Island has for years been an undiscovered breeding ground for these weirdly perfect creatures. First hatched from peacock eggs, the modlings begin their manufacture.

The models are raised and taught lessons of the fashion world- how to walk, how to talk and how to present themselves. Growing up on Brownsea Island, they are secluded from outside influence and grow into model perfection eventually to be released to the rest of the world.

The models are highly affected by the by the water surrounding the island, therefore it was problematic when the models needed to leave the island to pursue their careers. We decided to design an anchored bridge from Brownsea Island going over to Sandbanks, this way, when the modlings have evolved into fully functional models, they have a way to get over to the mainland.

The design of the bridge consists of carbon fibre nano tubes in a lattice shape, there is a glass path running through the middle and rods connect the structure at the top of the to blimps. The bridge is lightly anchored at one point to the island to enable the bridge to float up and down when required due to its lightweight structure. The bridge needs to be able to float up and down to enable security for the models still at an unstable stage of progress, keeping a perfect utopia.

A model of the bridge was made using cotton buds, glue and plastic. We incorporated aspects from architecture, fashion and textiles to create a lightweight bridge that not only functioned for purpose, but was also aesthetically pleasing. We looked at not only what is ‘lightweight’ but also what is perceived to be ‘lightweight’. For example, the floor of the bridge is glass, this is a relatively heavy substance but its transparency creates a lightweight impression.

The environment was a very important consideration to our concept as Brownsea island is such a preserved land containing many natural habitats, including woodland, heathland and a lagoon. The bridge is floating so has no impact on the wildlife, and, due to its lightweight structure, there wouldn’t be a detrimental effect on the environment.

This project along with others within the Fashion, Architecture and Textiles collaboration inspired a temporary exhibition in The Gallery at Arts University Bournemouth curated by Thalia Vaughan, Emily Walsh, Harriet Lowther and Jemma Pratt.

The FAT project is a collaborative university project between students of Fashion, Architecture and Textiles, individual groups were given a word and were expected to respond to this word and the town of Poole. The following project was response to the word 'Lightweight'...

FAT Pop-Up Exhibition Curation

Ellena Byrne, Gabriele Goodwin, Jennifer Hayes, Lizzie Layte, Amber Maidment, Caitlin Martin, Georgia Thomas, Thalia Vaughan, Reuben Ward.