VALOR Collection
Final Project | Textile Design - Print | Shenkar 2018
VALOR is a textile collection exploring the dialogue between female strength, heritage, and modern identity. Through a process of deconstructing historical motifs, I created a series of 220 unique swatches. By blending personal legacy with contemporary design, the project translates a rich family history into a powerful visual statement.
Behind the scenes: The manual screen-printing process, bringing digital concepts to life on fabric.
The final collection
The Narrative
Heritage Meets History
The project originated from a deep personal connection to my late grandmother, Dina Sulzbacher, who was a fashion designer in England during the 1920s. After discovering her original fashion illustrations, I felt a calling to realize her unfulfilled career through my own work.
I bridged this personal history with the figure of Queen Elizabeth I - a dominant female icon who ruled in a male-dominated era, known for the magnificent textile richness of her garments. The collection is a dialogue between three eras, exploring the complexity of feminine strength and modern womanhood.
Visual Language & Color Palette
Color Inspiration
The palette was meticulously curated from the 'PROMOSTYL' fashion forecast. I utilized deep, grounded tones like Cosmos and Blue Marble, contrasted with metaphysical, ethereal shades such as Intuitive Halo and Psychic White.
The Design Vibe (Meditative Halo)
nspired by the 'Meditative Halo' theme and the work of artist Patricia Le Fawnhawk, this chapter focuses on pure lines that evoke a sense of modern minimalism. The visual language explores the tension between opaque and transparent materials, creating a serene, almost architectural atmosphere.
The Creative Process
From Hand-Drawn to Digital
The development was an intuitive, self-taught journey of deconstruction and reconstruction:
Deconstruction & Digital Birth
The process began with hand-drawn sketches of motifs from Queen Elizabeth I’s garments. I deconstructed these shapes and transferred them to the computer to create simplified, repeating grid patterns of single elements.
Physical Layering & Exploration
After printing these basic grids, I moved away from the screen to work manually. I physically layered and combined different prints, experimenting with how the simple shapes interacted. This tactile phase allowed me to discover complex, unexpected patterns through physical trial and error.
Color Separation & Intuition
Once the final compositions were defined, I returned to the computer for the complex task of color separation. I intuitively divided each design into 11 distinct layers, preparing high-contrast positive and negative films. This stage required deep precision, as these films served as the technical foundation for my manual printing stencils.
Outcome
Manual Execution
The process culminated in the workshop, where I prepared the physical pigments and hand-printed each layer. By utilizing diverse fabrics and printing materials, I developed a collection of 220 unique swatches. The result is a rich visual library that celebrates the infinite possibilities of layering, color, and form.
