Meet GFF Talent, Talin Tariq Shehab Aldeen, a fashion design graduate from Cambridge School of Art. Talin’s final collection is called KHAYAL, and aims to inject some of the fun and joy from childhood books into modern streetwear. Talin has created a narrative around his collection, which follows the adventures of characters Healthy, Curious, Excited, and Funky by using prints that speak to the young at heart. Learn more about Talin’s work below.
What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at university?
The most valuable thing I have learned at university is team work, and that mistakes actually could be a good thing. Also, to trust time and trust the process. Other than the mindful things I have learned, I have learned almost everything I know now. From pattern cutting, to sewing, to using Adobe programs to create my portfolio. I have gone into this not knowing how to do any of that, and now that I am in third year looking back, I now know so much more. I got really lucky with going to a university that had a variation of facilities in order to explore textile designs as much as the garments making. With that, I have learned a lot about the many ways such as printmaking, embroidery, laser cutting, and heat press techniques.
What was the starting point of inspiration for your final project?
I have always been a youthful and joyful soul. I look at the bright and positive side of everything around me. The initial spark and inspiration I had was actually from a walk at the park. I collected random items I found on my way. I got a Lego, a kids boot with cartoons on it, and a candy wrapper. It reminded me of childhood. I went through all my childhood images and memories, as my past collections have been around the same idea, focusing on cartoons, and I wanted something different. So I went through all the kids books in libraries and stores, and got inspired by the Mr. and Ms. Books, which have been brought to my attention because I used to love reading them as a child, in fact I had the full collection. From that starting point, I decided to create my own story, created my characters based on the child’s characteristics, which I learned through reading articles about, and wrote down a story before illustrating it.
I then used the illustrations as prints for a men’s collection. Initially, I was going to create a women’s wear collection, as that is what I have been doing for the past few years. But like any project, ideas develop and change throughout the process, which is why I decided to create a men’s collection. Moreover, I did a men’s collection because I believe that the industry should develop a more colourful and creative concept on men’s clothing. Women mostly steal a mans shirt or jacket most of the time, two birds one stone. This collection was a journey, however I have trusted the process and followed my heart. And have learned a lot throughout.
What form will your final project take?
It will be in the form of garments. Inspired by the 80’s, KHAYAL is a playful collection that presents a twist to everyday streetwear, showcasing that there is no such thing as a limit or logic, in a child’s imagination…“KHAYAL”. Through digital print, the collection visualizes a child’s story that follows the adventures of characters Healthy, Curious, Excited, and Funky. I wanted to have some funky, fun and colorful editorial images of the garments however due to current situation, I couldn’t. So instead, I just asked my housemate to take the images, and I tried to edit the background to make it fit the aesthetic. Again, its all about using resources around us and making it work with creativity. Hopefully, these garments would be worn to events, or featured in magazines. The garments include Jeans, Jean shorts, T-shirts, shirts, Denim Jacket, Bomber Jacket, and a Long Coat. Each garments and piece has a different print on it, having the costumer intrigue the viewers into looking closely as there is a new detail in every corner, which tell a story and is unique in its own way.
What materials have you used and how did you source them?
My garments are made out of printed fabrics such as denim and cotton, sourced mainly online. With online fabric ordering, the process takes a little long as the fabric may affect the print and vise-versa. Once I order multiple printed fabrics with different colors and types, I narrow it down to the best quality and best printed fabrics, from there I have matched the print with the right fabric. It’s a long process of going back and forth, but its so interesting seeing your print on a different types of fabrics, it’s the proud feeling that keeps the adrenaline going.
How has it evolved from your initial ideas and what have you learnt along the way?
It has evolved so much. It started off with a walk in the park, looking for inspiration as my mind was blocked. After a three-hour walk, I had stumbled upon childish pieces such as a Lego, a kid’s Printed boot, and candy wrappers. At that point, I knew it was destiny for me to start a Children’s themed collection. However, I just didn’t exactly know how. I started off by looking at my childhood images. Which lead me into creating a collection that included cartoon characters such as tweety, mickey mouse, and more. From there, looked at prints and patterns, asked kids to doodle for me some drawings, studied the child’s mind and characteristics, and what those articles mostly focused on was how excited and curios kids are about everything, as they are still new to the world and everything is just mesmerizing to them as they are exploring.
They are also always super funky and energetic, and they should always be eating healthy. I then wanted to envision how those characters would be. So I decided to give them character and personality (Pre collection), as well as a story, after I have researched and looked through many books and toys for more inspiration, which has given the characters more life and thrill. Started off as a child’s characteristic, ended up as an illustrated storybook and garment prints. Along the way, I have learned that ideas develop almost everyday.
I started off with the initial idea of creating a cartoon fun themed women’s wear, and ended up doing a print-based menswear. I grew to learn that a designer should never grow attached to there work as it will change overtime, and looking back now, I would have never guessed that it would end with the results I have now. The process of sampling and printing and developing sometimes seem never ending, like there is no conclusion to where this development is going. However, the process is worth seeing how much we grew throughout the months of hard work.
What are the messages and themes behind your project that you want people to take away? Do explore any topics like diversity, sustainability or politics in your work?
Most men’s fashion do not have any bold illustrations. My collection mostly targets the wellbeing. Through the bright colours of the garments, I want to spread positivity and fun and joyful vibes. My collection is all about feeling young at heart, no matter what age they are. It is about being able to wear something as colorful, as fun, and as versatile in day-to-day life, or parties. I want the person to walk into the room wearing these garments with a positive aura around them. Also, To get attention from others, in a good way. My Garments are basically a walking piece of art. Its true, I really am a true believed in fashion is the most powerful form of art, and this is a message I want the world to see.
I want people who don’t like fashion to at least appreciate the art behind it. Whether it was the fabric manipulation, or the print on the garment. But most importantly, it is the way the person feels when they put on my garments. They feel happy, positive, and as if they are on top of the world. That is because of the colors, the characters, and the message behind it. They story illustrated in the garments is a short funny story. It is an amazing conversation starter once someone would come up and ask about the garment, they could just talk about how it is part of a story. And it is a unique piece that is created of the customer, making them feel special.
What’s an aspect of the fashion industry that you’re passionate about fixing or having a positive impact on?
Fashion is the most power form of art there is. And I am very passionate about bringing positivity through the color and prints that give the person wearing them character, and youthful sense. I would love to show that we, designers, could literally get inspired by everything and anything. That even if it was something ugly, we could turn it into something beautiful and a meaningful message to spread through the art in garments that we create. I believe the fashion industry should focus more on being sustainable, and to find more ways in creating prints on fabrics in which are also sustainable. I am mostly passionate about creating stories within the garments whether its textile or fabric manipulation.
However, I would highly appreciate more fabric options that would be sustainable to print on. Nowadays, the fashion industry is leaning towards the sustainability side. For instance, Zara, H&M and more are starting to release sustainable collections. However, as a designer, I would love to have a store, which sells and produces sustainable custom printed fabrics. Furthermore, I would love to speak out on behalf of many fashion students, as it is not easy being a designer, since we require a lot of skills, we still get looked down on. And that I s something we always look past. I would like to show people how much work actually goes in it. From the research process, to developing the work, the amount of networking and collaborations that goes behind the scenes, the articles and books we read to find the inspirations, not to mention the emotional rollercoaster we go through in order to get to where we are now.
What is your plan once you finish your BA?
I would love to start my own brand with versatile ready to wear clothing, which would help in the customers creativity and see what they could do with it on there part. Also, I want to be a textile designer since I am heavily inspired with Walter Van Bierendonks work. Prints give garments more character, it give it a narrative, and a story to hold on to. Give it some sentimental value, and every garment should be styled however the person would like. For instance a super colorful top with a pair of jeans, would show the person’s character and youthfulness through first impression. I Maybe would do a masters degree in business marketing as well as work on my own projects.