Pic – Andy Barr/andybarr.com


Pic – Andy Barr/andybarr.com


Pic – Andy Barr/andybarr.com


Pic – Andy Barr/andybarr.com


Pic – Andy Barr/andybarr.com


Pic – Andy Barr/andybarr.com


Pic – Andy Barr/andybarr.com

All pictures copyright of Andy Barr and must be requested for use –  andybarr.com

Challenge: Make a dress
out of car parts for Ford Motor Company.

Time limit: 1 Week

Materials: Various car
parts from a Ford Focus, Tweed, Lace, Leather, Silk Chiffon, Spray-paint.

Photographer: Andy Barr

Model:  Miss Scotland
2011, Jennifer Reoch

Process:

The parts arrived in two big boxes;
I unpacked all the components which covered the studio floor. Game on! Car
keys, radio players, dash board functions, rear lights, car seat covers, window
buttons, lighter functions, circular gizmos and gadgets aplenty!

The
back of the dress – the ‘engine’ – comprises of all the small components
stitched into a small crinoline type bustle.

The
massive red rear lights were a bit of a challenge; I sawed of the back section
with a hack saw to shed some bulk and weight, then drilled holes in top
section  attaching wire and kilt straps. so they could be clipped on and off.
I attached the lights and the entire bustle to an industrial sized leather belt
to carry the weight.

Using the
cover of a car seat, HTH tweed and a bit of spray-paint leather and lace I
constructed the biker jacket. My younger sister and I had a pair of pliers and
a screwdriver in hand pulling bits apart to access the circuit boards and
wires finding pieces that were a suitable sizes and weight to attach to the
jacket. It’s a great shape with a sexy edge.The needle of the speedometer on the back moves round so yo can choose what speed to go at! Underneath the jacket a tweed, gauze
and chiffon corset appliqued with copper wire nips in the waist.

I
dyed layers of silk chiffon inspired by the colour of diesel, the fabric
mimicking the flow of fuel. The contrast of feminine soft layers with that
of industrial car mechanics was something I wanted to encapsulate.

Ford
only asked for a dress but I could not resist making the whole outfit. Do you think
Lady Gaga would be interested? One for her next video perhaps….

Really
enjoyed making this one!