ElektroCouture invited designer Adrian Stapf to share his unique perspective on the intersection of light, movement and textiles.
Adrian Stapf is a fashion designer of international repute who specializes in costume designs and mainly works for internationally acclaimed institutions like the Salzburger Festspiele.
The mysterious will-o’-the-wisp is the inspiration behind this piece. It plays with moving light behind textiles and shows you how a glow-in-the-dark feature can seduce us.
Like the sudden, alluring light of the will-o’-the-wisp guiding the travellers to destinations unknown, Adrian draws attention to the effects of light in his collection. He tempts you to follow the glowing design, bringing out the variations in a unique manner. The allure is wanting to know what happens when you follow the path created by the light – does it glow further, does it change, or is there more light waiting to seduce you?
The light communicates through a different complex layering technique, whereby it appears to change with every movement of the wearer. Does it hide, does it change its color, does it shines brighter… does it even react to you watching it? Adrian wanted to play with all these emotions while you can’t stop looking at the ever-changing patterns in the dress.
The design development process was rigorous and exciting as new patterns and technical solutions were performed using laser cutters, 3D printers and technical textiles. This combination of technology and old-style craftsmanship gives the designer freedom, thus making the conversation between light and fabrics possible.
It is mystical how light finds its way to your eyes through clothes. While you may not be able to find the source of the light, it guides you through the darkness to a new perspective.
