My age range, which is based on the cottagecore trend, is from 15 to 25 years old, making younger people my target market. Since Marie Antoinette was undoubtedly the inspiration for the viral cottagecore movement, the consumer has been immersed in TikTok trends and is currently smitten with its softness. My work satisfies their demands and wants by enhancing the trend's wearability, simplicity, and distinctive styles. Younger consumers, compared to other consumers, love a good price but also choose sustainability when purchasing, which is why my collection is ideal for them.
This collection's designs are based on the Rococo era, and I drew inspiration from Marie Antoinette's wardrobe, paying particular attention to her most well-known pieces, which can be seen in well-known images like "Chemise a la Reine." Because linen is a natural textile made from the flax plant, I used it for all of my designs. Due to its low resource and water requirements, it is also biodegradable and has a minimal impact on the environment. Because of its excellent resilience and capacity to absorb body moisture, linen is cool to wear in the heat. I employ eco-friendly materials in my designs, such as the fibers I use. I chose linen as the primary fiber since it is a natural fiber originating from the flax plant and is also biodegradable and falls under my focus area of preferred fibers.
During my investigation, I discovered that there is a wide price range for modern manufacturers with collections inspired by Marie Antoinette, ranging from less than $100 to thousands of dollars per item. The majority of the collections feature incredibly feminine forms and rococo-inspired designs. Since Marie Antoinette has long been a source of inspiration for brands and designers, you can find her-inspired clothing everywhere these days, from independent artisans on Etsy to designer retailers like Saks Fifth Avenue. Since the textiles used are designed to replicate what the last queen of France would have worn in her era, the majority of these lack any sustainability features. The Rococo era and all the delicate nuances of lighter colors served as the inspiration for the color scheme. I'm glad to pay homage to Marie Antoinette's style with this color scheme because she frequently wore pinks and pastels in her earlier years. These colors represent a time when people realized that vibrant hues may be used in home design and transcend gender boundaries.
My flats were generated in Illustrator, then I imported them into Photoshop to texture map them and give myself greater control over the patterning. I then brought them back into Illustrator to make my final boards. I made the motifs for the patterns in Illustrator, the patterns themselves in Photoshop, and the linen-like appearance in Photoshop.
Because the clothes were made with sustainability in mind, my line complies with AATCC design standards. Each item is made of linen, a natural fiber with one of the lowest environmental impacts available on the market and that is also biodegradable. There are three looks in total, each consisting of two pieces. The designs were all inspired by Marie Antoinette and the Rococo period but were given a contemporary touch to make them wearable and sustainable.