Carrie uses more than 2,000 glue sticks to make unusual dresses
A fashion student from the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has turned an everyday DIY tool into a creative couture instrument by using a glue gun to make a collection of dresses.
Carrie Colaluca used more than 2,000 glue sticks for her six piece fashion collection created as part of her final year fashion degree work. The Northern Irish student used layers of black and white glue to make two dresses, two tops, a skirt and a bodice for her collection that was paraded on the catwalk at Graduate Fashion Week in London.
Carrie, 26, was inspired to use the unusual dressmaking material through her love of 3D printing and experimenting with materials that mould to the body. To create her eye-catching outfits she wrapped a mannequin in cling film and piped the hot glue onto it before peeling off the dried glue to mould into each garment.
She said: “I came about it by accident really after experimenting with glue and how it can be used in fashion design. It produced some interesting results and I just built on that to create this final collection. Each glue piece has been paired with knitwear and I’m so pleased with how it all came together.”
Carrie’s collection was chosen to be part of the UCLan catwalk show at Graduate Fashion Week which showcases the work of more than 1,000 of the top students and graduates from universities around the world.
"I came about it by accident really after experimenting with glue and how it can be used in fashion design."
Talking of the event she said: “Graduate Fashion Week was so exciting. It was manic as it involved lots of preparation to get the models ready for the catwalk. I didn't get to take it all in until I saw the video of the show. I was so pleased with the way it all came together and I couldn't believe people's reactions and compliments.”
Carrie graduated from UCLan last week and is keen to return to London, where she spent a year-long placement with fashion supply company Nova, to pursue her career. The ambitious designer would love to work in high-end design for the likes of the Alexander McQueen fashion label.
