...and lets not forget Chanel's 'Underwater Wonderland'

I am amazed by Chanels S/S 2012 collection! The colours, the theme, everything! The main aspect of the collection that caught my attention was the mix of texture and different elements of colour. It really is a juxtaposition between subtle and striking! The attention to detail in this collection is stunning along with the complex patterns of some of the garments. All this and the Chanel signature style still remains...genius!

spring 2012

It does'nt feel like five minutes since SS11 Collections hit the runway, but as the weather starts to get colder SS12 gives us something to look forward to...

Giorgio Armani

With ultra slick silhouettes and far eastern inspiration this collection is great for Summer in the City!

For me my favourite pieces from the collection are the tailored trousers and embellished jackets, I love the subtle shimmer in the fabric which gives them such an elgant appearance!

Versus
A cute and feminine collection with a 'cheerleader' edge. I love how the cut out features and black piping really add to some of the garments along with the pastel and monochrome colour pallette...

Temperley London

Temperleys SS collection is all about the GLAMOUR! With bold prints, head wraps and oversized sunglasses this collection has it all!

AD 206

I recently completed the module AD206 which was a negotiated project that enabled me to discover my creative abilities through the use of styling and exploring what it was about and allowed me to communicate the visual aspects of my garment and how I saw it overall as a finished piece.

I chose a model that had a very natural complexion and did her makeup very subtle and wanted her hair pinned up to show the detailing of my dress. I was very pleased with the way she worked with the photographer which resulted in some beautiful photos.

I thoroughly enjoyed this module and believe it has enabled me to gain an understanding into fashion photography and would hopefully like to get more involved with it in the future. However what I enjoyed most was the styling of my garment. I believe that as a fashion designer it is important to have an idea of not only how you want your garments to look but how you want them to be seen which promotes you as a designer.

Alexander McQueen at the Met...

If only I had the chance to go to New York to visit the 'Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty' exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art that pays tribute to an amazing talent and extraordinary career...


The exhibiton is said to be 'insanely beautiful, intensely dramatic, and — most importantly — profoundly moving.'

The exhibiton allows people to gain an insight into a creative mind consumed by passion, beauty, darkness and drama.



This exhibit stands to prove many things, most of which that fashion can be art, that it allows you to express your personality, style and tell a story through what you design and make the way McQueen did.

Making my dress...

Whilst making the toile for my dress I encountered numerous problems with the strap and then had to decide what kind of sleeve to make, what shape it should be and where to place it.
I decided to go with a cape effect that would just be anchored onto the strap. I liked the shape of  the cape sleeve (tippet) as it looked most like my design. I had to alter the pattern a few times in order to get it the shape and size I was wanting.

Being Organised...

Day	Task
Monday  18/04/11	Garment Manufacture
Tuesday  19/04/11	Garment Manufacture
Wednesday  20/04/11	AD205 portfolio work, sketchbook, PPD book review and update blog.
Thursday  21/04/11	Complete Fabric Sourcing File. Star AD205 Final Boards.
Monday  25/04/11	Work Placement Report
Tuesday  26/04/11	AD205 Shop Report
Wednesday  27/04/11	Wednesday AD206 Essay and annotate research
Monday 2/05/11	Complete AD205 Final Boards and Fabric Board
Tuesday  3/05/11	Complete AD206 and source Miss Newcastle fabric
Wednesday 4/05/11	Hand in for AD206. Miss Newcastle Garment Manufacture
Thursday  5/05/11	Miss Newcastle Garment Manufacture
Monday  9/05/11	PPD, Miss Newcastle Garment Manufacture
Tuesday  10/05/11	Miss Newcastle Garment Manufacture
Wednesday 11/05/11	Hand in for all modules

As there are only a few weeks left until hand in I have decided to produce a timetable to ensure I get each different modules work done before each deadline. I have set a task for a particular day so that I know what work needs to be done and when it has to be done for.

Vintage Fashion Photography

50's Dior photographed by Walde Huth

For my styling module I have been researching into different fashion photography styles. I have took a liking to vintage fashion photography. Although this is not the style of photography I am wanting for my dress,I find all these pictures exquisite.

I think each of the pictures has a story behind it and thats what makes them so interesting and beautiful to look at.

More Pattern Cutting...

Last week I started pattern cutting for my 2nd garment for my fmp which is a fitted dress. I found that the pattern cutting for this was a lot easier than the jumpsuit and feel that the skills I developed from making the jumpsuit pattern enabled me to progress and use them to pattern cut my dress.lack

The fabric I have chosen for my garments is black silk crepe and leatherette for detailling on the garments.



"Big girls need big diamonds."

Elizabeth Taylor

Taking a look back and remembering the stye icon of her time...

Strengths and Weaknesses...Project By Project

AD203
I started AD203 at the beginning of 2nd year where the aims of the module where 'to provide opportunities for students to consolidate skills in and understanding of a range of thought processes and methods relating to their art and design discipline through the medium of a project.' The module was a live brief spread among to modules, this module being to design and come up with a final garment being an evening wear dress for evening wear designer Anh Mao.
My theme was based on the process of a 'chrysalis to a buterfly' where I based a lot of my designs on draping. I produced 2 mood boards where I selected the best imagery from my research that I felt best portrayed my theme. I think my mood boards where a strong point of this module.

I feel that my initial designs and design development really reflected my theme and the fabric I chose would be apporpriate for the manufacture of my dress. I was very pleased with the design work I produced, however I think that I could of done a lot more research on my theme prior to the design development. I also realised that I should have experimented more with draping and manipulating fabric as part of the development process.
This module enabled me to develop my skills and add work to my portfolio that shows my improvement from 1st year to 2nd.

AD208

For this module I was required to produce the evening wear dress based on my final design from AD203.

From this module I feel I gained a lot, as I encountered many problems with my fabric and design. The design I had chose was based on draping. I had selected chiffon fabric for the draping. I had previously made a toile with lower qulity chiffon fabric that worked quite well. However the chiffon I was using for my dress was very soft and delicate and would not drape the way I had wanted. In order to fix the problem I ended up changing most of the style of the dress, however I was still pleased with the fnished product. This module made me realise about fabric selection and how experimentation is very important as not all fabrics work the way you want them to. I also had never previously draped with fabric, so this module helped me for the future if I ever wish to drape and improve on the skills I have already learnt.

This module enabled me to improve my time management and problem solving skills, however I need to be more confident with my decision making in future as at times I was unsure about how to change the style of the dress to make the chiffon drape.



AD202

This module was to show and improve my digital skills usings Adobe Illustrator. It was linked with modules AD203 and AD208, where the work I produced was generated from the design development from AD203. I was required to produce 4 front and back designs from AD203 using Adobe Illustrator, and also interpreting close up details such as fastenings, stitching etc. I was also required to produce an essay on the role of digital applications within the fashion industry.

This module has enabled me to develop my digital skills from 1st year. I feel a lot more confident using the programme and now wish to incorporate CAD work in other modules. I have seen an improvement in my designs from CAD work I produced in the 1st year and hope the skills I have required from this module will help me to keep improving.

The essay I produced really helped me to understand how important digital applications are in the fashion industry and how it has drastically improved time management and modernised the industry as a whole.

In future I would like to experiment more with applying colour to designs as I think it can make them look a lot more interesting.

Miss Newcastle...the year of BOLLYWOOD!

As part of another work placement a few of my class and I will be designing and making one of the garments for the Miss Newcastle final. Each year a theme is picked that will be suitable for the winner from the previous year.We have been asked to produce the themed garments which this year is Bollywood as last years winner was of Indian origin.
I am excited to produce the garment and see one of the contestants wearing it as we have been invited to go to the final!
I have researched Bollywood and the style and history of it all. I have also looked into Indian culture, art, and landscapes and have established a colour story that consists of earthy tones such as burnt orange and sand with hints of gold. I have also researched fashion designers that have been influenced by indian culture such as Hermes and Reem Acra.
This week I am goin to have a look in local Indian Fabric shops and hope to start making asap!



Louis Vuitton...AW 2011-12

Louis Vuittons AW, RTW collection was very intriguing. The start of the show consisted of PVC, peacked caps, trench coats, hotpants and jodpur style trousers, however in parts of the show the seductive style toned down a bit and there was some exquisite dresses with luxurious fabric choices.
The pieces that caught my eye were the ruberised lace blouses and moulded leather bodices, I find the combination of both work well together, they suggest a subtle  monochrome colour pallete which overall gives a striking appearance.
This collection really stood out to me as its allowing  a woman to dress in a prominent way yet still being classy and elegant...

 

The Pattern Cutting Begins...

I have decided to make 2 garments for my final major project. I have chose to produce a jumpsuit and a dress.These 2 garments were taken from my final capusule collection inspired by 15th and 16th century armour.

I want a very structured yet feminine and striking collection.I intend to use jersey fabric with leather detailling.

I am excited to produce these garments as it will allow me to explore and develop a range of techniques.

I have already sampled prior to the pattern cutting to make sure i was able to produce the detailling I required for the garments and made sure that the leather I had chose was easy to work with.

I have started off with making the jumpsuit. I have never previously made one so therefore found the pattern cutting quite a challenge as I had to alter the basic pattern a lot to match my design.

The jumpsuit will have exagerated shoulders...

Detailed side panels...

...and a leather top stitched waistband.

From creating this pattern I learnt a lot and feel that this knowledge will be useful and will enable me to problem solve by myself when it comes to making the pattern for my second garment which is a dress, again with leather detaillings.