BALAENA
       GRADUATION PROJECT

     A fabric collection for womenswear inspired by the whaling expeditions of the Dutch factory ship 'Willem Barendsz'.

     This collection was inpsired by the whale hunt of the Dutch after the Second World War. After this war fats and oils were scarce in the Netherlands. This was a      period of great scarcity throughout the war that torn Europe, and the Netherlands were no exception. Since the Dutch lacked both the money and opportunity      to buy these necessary goods on the international market, they decided to go out ad get it themselves in the Antarctic. Big knifes cut the fat skin of the whales      causing blood and stinking gall from theu insides to ooze over the ship's deck. Men, struggling, slithering and sliding, try to drag the big freshly cut slices of      greasy whale flesh into the hold. A though life led by gory conditions and the blistering cold.

                         The fabrics represent the hard life on the 'Willem Barendsz'. Frabrics with firm and stiff bindings in order to prevent ripping and tearing. Materials pleated into                          big warm volumes like a whale, to surround you as to protect you against the cold. Coated layers hide inside softness and keep the dirt on a distance while                          covered surfaces show beauty and confidence.

                        This collection is intended for clothing worn by strong self-assured women. A collection book shows the atmosphere of my inspiration and images offer                         suggestions for the use of the fabrics in clothing.

                                      
                                   Wool Fabric, smocked by hand.

                            
                        Images of the book BALAENA. in this book I show the atmosphere of the collection inculding inspiration pictures, objects and texts.

                           
                       Hand woven cotton/linen fabric with plastic beads.

                           
                        Cotton coated fabric smocked to create a volume.                                                 Knitted hand dyed fabric consisting out of plastic yarns.

                              
                              Hand-woven fabric consisiting out of cotton, linen and a synthetic yarn.

                               
                         Hand-woven wool fabric with handmade plastic yarn coating.                                Images of the book BALAENA. in this book I show the atmosphere of the                                                                                                                                                 collection inculding inspiration pictures, objects and texts.

                            
                         Hand-woven and hand-dyed twill fabric.

                            
                                                                                                                   Knitted fabric with a layer of a woven fabric consisting out of 50% cotton and 50% silk.

                        
                         Fabric BALEEN.

Graduation project at the Design Academy Eindhoven

Photography fabrics Jolijn Pasmans

Photography fabrics on models Lobke Leijser

Models Anneke Weerts and Mayke van Oosten

Make up Anne van de Gazelle