RYBIE LUSKI – CURATOR – JDADA2019

“But out of limitations, comes creativity.”

—- DEBBIE ALLEN —-

Designer Jagdish K’s collection Rybie Luski in Polish means fish scales and was a line of innovative evening wear for women which used fish scales as an element in the design.

Ideally pearls and shells are the only elements of the marine life that are found in clothes and accessories. Other elements of marine life are only used as visual design representations in fashion.  The fish scales are usually discarded after selling the fish and is overlooked in its potential of being implemented in design. The only way fish scales have been used in design so far, was the replication of its form, rather than using real scales. Hence, the designer used actual fish scales as an embellishment on the garments of the collection.

The scales tend to lose its shape on being washed. Hence, to retain its form, the designer used a mixture of water, detergent and shampoo followed by a propanol bath to prevent shrinkage of the scales and retain its shape before using it.  Embroidery proved to be the best method to hold the fish scales in the desired spot on the garment and also prevented it from tear. The garments of the collection were created with organza and scuba fabric.