Laura Petzke - Mediadesign Hochschule

ELEMENTS – Mediadesign Hochschule

My name is Laura Petzke, I’m 24 years old and I was born in Bonn, Germany.

Ever since I was a kid, I’ve been very passionate about drawing and basically everything creative or artistic. So, after my High School/A-Level graduation I was determined to take the creative path. Even though I always loved fashion, the fashion industry itself was rather new to me, but due to its artistic emphasis, I decided to give it a try.

In 2017 I started my first fashion internship and preparatory study in Leipzig. Following that, I moved to Düsseldorf to study fashion design at the Mediadesign University of Applied Sciences. In between my fashion design studies, I embarked upon an internship at the atelier of Iris van Herpen. The internship taught me a lot! Not only did I improve my stitching skills and gain knowledge of new techniques, but I also figured out that there is no limit when it comes to creating certain shapes and textures. The internship inspired me to take a look at the artistic side of fashion. When I first started my fashion design studies, I was rather focused on wearable fashion but once I saw the innovative pieces at IvH, I remembered why I started – because I loved art.

Back at university, I immediately felt the desire to put the newly gained impressions and inspirations into practice, which became the origin of my CONFLUENCE collection. This was my first time working on my own Haute Couture collection. During this process, I learned even more about my passion for futuristic, yet minimalistic clothing features. I have already enjoyed this direction of style in the past, but now it is my main focus.

Getting closer towards my design signature, I decided to continue in a similar style for my bachelor’s collection – ELEMENTS. The collection’s theme is based on specific human characteristics assigned to the four elements of astrology. Above all, the aim was to filter the existing traits and to transform their habits into wearable fashion pieces. I chose to work with abstract shapes and gleaming materials again, since there was a lot more to discover. However, this time I wanted to try out something new by choosing a mixture of ready-to-wear and avant-garde garments. Furthermore, I went with a clean and not too vibrant colour-palette to keep the focus on the pattern. My goal is for all the pieces to complement each other in order to create a coherent picture.

Subsequently, I am planning on doing my Master’s degree in fashion design. Before starting my own business, I would prefer to be employed at a company first. Getting a good insight into work life, being aware of the possible risks, and in general becoming more experienced will be my next destination.

Fire:

The first look embodies the most dominant of all elements – fire. The element of fire is represented in the zodiac through Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius. Like fire itself, fire signs tend to be passionate, dynamic, and temperamental. This element symbolises pure energy, power, and strength, which contain both creative and destructive traits. This look is all about expressing confidence. Therefore, to guarantee a dominant and fierce appearance, the shoulders are in focus as they are the decisive part of the body. This impression is additionally enhanced by a slim waist, straight cuts, and striking, luminous materials.

Water:

Intuitive, emotional, and ultra-sensitive – water signs can be as mysterious as the ocean itself. The element of water is represented in the zodiac through Pisces, Cancer, and Scorpio. Like water, they can be refreshing, or they can drown into their depths. Water signs are submerged in their surroundings, often sensing the hidden emotional reality. This element can be dramatic and attached but symbolises purity, empathy, and imagination at the same time. The appearance of this look is intended to be soft and fragile. Similar to water, the fabric is fluent and shimmery with no stability. It moves around and changes its shape constantly.

Earth:

Earth signs are considered to be the “grounded” people of the planet, who embrace hard work, commitment, and truth. The element of Earth is represented in the zodiac through Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn. They take pride in their discipline and their reliable reputations. Like the Earth’s ground, these signs embody stability. They symbolise ambition, security, strength, and maturity. To emphasise the strong and ambitious appearance of this look, the shoulders are accentuated, supported by a slim waist and long legs. Precise and detailed patterns with several earth tones are the focus.

Air:

Air is the element of the mind, represented in the zodiac through Aquarius, Gemini, and Libra. Air signs are all about action, ideas, and motion — they are the “winds of change.” Air signs also require extensive freedom of movement in order to express their ideas and individuality. Furthermore, they embody transformation, lightness, and creativity, which lead them to be curious and open-minded, but simultaneously detached and unavailable. This look is all about transparency. With a loose fit and transparent materials, it matches the air sign’s open-minded and transparent personality. The cuts are simple, yet innovative since the outfit can be worn by women and men to express the element’s mutability.

Hybrid:

The general definition of a hybrid would be a mixture of two parties, but for me and my collection I thought of it as is a mixture of all elements compromised as one piece. Each element presents itself as a part of integrity, whereas the “hybrid” symbolises the unity of all elements, thus all human characteristics. Its dominant shape can be associated with fire, the precision and detailed composition is connected to Earth, the luminous shine is reminiscent of water, and the androgynous wearability is related to the changeability of air. Each element plays an important role in nature to create life on this planet. If one of the four elements were missing, life on Earth would not be possible. Only together they can work as a system.

Photography:Photography: Marcelo De Souza Moraes Instagram: @moraes_art