PINTEREST

During our session with Gill , we got introduced to Pinterest. It is a type of website were pin-board style photos are posted that allows users to create and manage theme-based images collections such as events organising, your interests and hobbies. I found this site very helpful and decided to join too.  Pinterest has not only helped me with my research for Gill's module but with my other support module's too. I have managed to discover so many new artists, trends and designers through fashion pin-boards. Since then I get most of my photos sources from this site. It is also fun way of sharing inspiring photos and other users re-pinning them . I was able to find to many inspiring images from art movements like cubism, most-modernism , renaissance and even with my other support modules were we had to research about fabric manipulation . It helped me develop my creative skills by looking at the images as an inspiration.  

CREATING MY JUMPSUIT

Finally after 2 weeks I managed to finish my jumpsuit just in time before easter break which was a relief as I wanted to concentrate on my other modules. I was very pleased with my final outcome which involved changes which I had already mentioned in my previous post. We were given 3 different fabric choices to work on to enhance the design . I chosen grey, blue and white which I thought would look much  better together. I enjoyed the making the jump-suit and feel like I have really achieved something plus I have never made a garment to this extend so I must say it was a successful task. I always had an interest in making garments but never really knew the construction part so it was helpful I took this course as it has helped me with something I am passionate about. 

POCKETS, ZIPS AND COLLARS

Friday support module has been really interesting for me. I have learned how to make zips, pockets, and collars so far . I have made zips and collars before on my foundation course last year but completely forgot the technique so it was good everything had to be recorded on a technical file for this year plus the work looked more presentable on a file . I am quite a perfectionist therefore I wanted all my samples to look neat and tidy so overall I was quite pleased . During this exercise we also had to research on historical and contemporary pockets, collars and zips so it was interesting to discover about how, when and who made them . 

                                           INVISIBLE ZIPS                            

OFF CENTRE ZIPS

       

                                                             STAND COLLAR                                                  

SHIRT COLLAR

                                                                POCKET IN A SEAM

 
                                                         SKIRT FRONT POCKET

PRESENTATION

                   

:Image of helmut newton photography                                      :Helmut Newton 

On wednesday we had our presentation which had to about a designer or an artist that is relevant to our essay question. I chose Helmut Newton , a well known prolific fashion photographer during the 1950s and 1960s . Reflecting on my presentation , I made so many errors due to my nervousness and due to that I started fidgeting and forgot what I was meant to say properly even though I had made notes on my iPad. I should have made more eye-contact and researched about the background of my chosen topic. I have always come across as shy person so perhaps because of that I found it tough to speak in front of the class . My aim is to be more prepared and be more confident when speaking next time .

JUMPSUIT JOURNEY

For my jumpsuit ideas I had successfully construct a silhouette based on Renaissance. I designed my jumpsuit inspired by the 16th century costumes. The costumes in those period were very flamboyant with larger than life frilled collars with big volume puffy sleeves and I wanted to incorporate that into my own concept. We had to make changes to a basic jumpsuit so I made few alteration starting from the neckline by having big frilled collars with mandarin collar and press stud underneath at the back. The centre front is a raglan sleeves with elastic waist. I also changed the back into bodice style with invisible zip fastening. 
    For past few weeks, we have been busy with pattern cutting exercise using basic suit block pattern. I found it quite tough at the beggining when I had to manipulate the shape even though my jumpsuit design was in front of me because pattern cutting is still a new experience for me even though we made the shirt on our last semester. I found the task quite challenging as I had to make so many alteration and I felt nervous thinking I will make mistakes despite the tutors walking around eager to help . Nevertheless I was just glad i managed to finish the whole jumpsuit pattern in one day which was an achievement for someone who works quite slow. I am excited to see the final outcome and actually enjoying pushing myself everyday with new challenges waiting ahead of me.

 

 

 

REPEAT PATTERNS

                      

Image of a vase with baroque patterns                              Research image of a baroque patterns                                  

This monday we have been working on repeat patterns for our wallpaper designs. I had been looking through my renaissance research of baroques because as soon as renaissance word popped in my head , I thought about baroques. I am not really a huge fan of the baroques if i am being honest because i find the patterns quite heavy meaning they look quite over the top anyway I picked a couple of drawings I  had done and merged them together to create a repeat pattern .  I than had to cut up and photocopy my repeat pattern and stick them back together using masking tape to seal . I find this technique not only quicker but i am able to create wonderful patterns and I surprised myself once I painted the designs using colours from my colour palette. The patterns looked more alive and interesting so I am eager to experiment with more colours and techniques in upcoming sessions.

RENAISSANCE

For my monday module, I was working on colour palettes for wallpaper designs . We had to choose one of the themes from 4 art movements based on Renaissance, Cubism, Surrealism & Pop-Art. I decided go for Renaissance because I wanted to do something completely different to my comfort zone. I felt like in the past all the colours I had worked on seemed too familiar however this time I wanted to experiment on new concepts .  I looked at my Renaissance Research and chose 5 colours from both Fashion and Historical related to Contemporary Artists.  I than made 6 boxes that had been divided into 5 uneven lines and painted in a line of each colour .This exercise helped me to get more idea of how my colours may look next to each other and with an accent colour. I went for gold as my accent colour because as you know renaissance period was all about rich and glamour. 

LONDON FASHION WEEK

                                                  SIMONE ROCHA

London Fashion week always brings fresh new styles to the runway. New emerging fashion designer by the name of Simone Rocha took over the London fashion week this year for autumn/winter 2014-2915 to her ready to wear collection . I discovered her when researching about New Gen designers and have been a fan of her ever since. For this season, She took an inspiration from renaissance period and silhouette of queen Elizabeth's costume with skirts that are slightly exaggerated at the hips to add big volumes, cut them short and added belts crafted from plastic jewellery to add a bit of modern twist . She also turned her attention towards the ruffles sleeves and pockets which made the garments stood out on the runway because you usually see pockets that are basic shapes. I also love her choice of colour palette . Her collection always seems girlish with bit of quirkiness with tartans and cute jelly shoes with chunky heels . I also like the fact they are wearable pieces and I would defiantly wear all of them only if I had the money that is.

                                                          ASHISH 

 I adore Ashish autumn/winter 2014 collection and in true Ashish style, he again wowed the fashion critics with his amazing street style that are loud and screams disco. He showcased his signature lashings of sequins , lace , glitters to manipulated gathered denim jumpsuit with created ruffles which I thought looked  funky. In fact these, these we the sort of clothes you would no doubt dreamed of wearing it when we were younger so it was like a reminiscent of our old days. Each season , he brings fun to the catwalk  and would have a chavvy looking jogging bottoms would look this good on the runway.

INTRODUCTION TO FASHION CONSTRUCTION

                                                     
                                                     
                                                                        FRENCH SEAM

                                                                5 THREAD SEAM  

                                                                PLAIN SEAM

                                                          BOUND OPEN SEAM

                                           

For my friday support module on "Introduction to Fashion Construction'' we had been learning about different types of Seams & Hems found on manufacture garments. I must say I really enjoyed it and top of that  I learned all the names of the seams I didn't knew before.

NEW YORK FASHION WEEK 2014

   Each year New-York Fashion week brings out the most amazingly talented and supremely stylish people together to check out next year's look. This year autumn / winter show was full of surprises with dark colour palettes ,bold prints and draped silhouette . There were so many innovative designs of well known to new-comer designers but I have narrowed it down to few of my favourites . 

                                                ANNA SUI

    Her designs always appeals to me. Every year she brings out her new innovative and bohemian style to the catwalk. This year there were lot of stylish floral prints inspired by the 1920s art deco references. Her collection showed girls dressed up in a flapper girl style with penchant for all things vintage inspired. The collection saw lot of rich red, black, teal and purple tones. She brought fun to the show with rock 'n' roll edge mixed in.

                                   TRACY REESE 

         Tracy Reese  Fall-winter 2014-2015 fashion show featured vibrant and playful modernity, that gave these collection with a brilliant impression.  There were lots of frocks with abstract floral and winter landscape prints which looked fresh and stood out in the runway almost other gorgeous dresses. The silhouette of the garments were simple and looked very practical  . All in all , Reese latest show is all about functionality and comfort . I would defiantly wear all of her designs.

                                 PRABAL GURUNG

   Prabal Gurung A/W 2014-2015 collection just blew me away and has to be by far my favourite so far. It's not just about the bold colour choices but I had never seen orange look so good before because I detested the colour so much in the past and refused to wear anything orange. He bought full of eastern delight with sari draped style and cleverly mastered the modernity silhouette cuts. Its clear he took inspiration from his Nepalese roots but unknown to few fashion critics. This year he bought tibetan theme with colours that are warm and full of spice with sensual and soft texture. Everything was minimalism with less prints yet focus more on the colours.
                      

PARIS FASHION WEEK 2014/15

                                                     CHANEL

This year for fall 2014-2015 karl lagerfeild bought fun to the catwalk show. He magically transformed the Grand Palais into a full-scale supermarket which nobody ever imaged to happen but only in the minds of Karl lagerfeild. We had never have so many women looking so delighted to walk into a grocery store well, a Chanel shopping Centre to be exact. The show showcased candy-coloured tweed suits layered over candy pink high-neck tank top and a leg gins with holes.
Elsewhere,thin shiny disco leggings were paired with Chanel's signature quilted crop jacket and shift dress which had multiple poacher style pockets which i thought sort of ruined the look because it looked kind of mismatched but hey its karl's idea so no one can argue. Overall the collection was fresh, young and fun and appealed to women from 18-80 year old who couldn't wait to get their hands on one these pieces.

                   
                                                     ELIE SAAB 

          Elie Saab shows always mesmerises me and makes me appreciate couture designers.  For this year Fall 2014-2015 , he showed his collection which he named Dark Opulence (wealth) and said he was looking at the work of Artist Mark Rothko. He was heavily inspired by the artist's use of vigorous colour which gave him the ombre effects . There was lot of exquisite looking two tone shades consisted of dark burgundy, black and beautiful sand gowns with open slit at the thighs. The collection itself sort of epitomise richness & sensuality in a way however this show was different approach for Saab who usually prefers neutral colour schemes to dark vivid colours . Overall I really like everything I have seen and some of the pieces are definitely oscar worthy gowns in my opinion .

    
                                                    GIVENCHY

 This collection showed Tisci's softer side. There were lot of light beige colour toned long coat matched with big statement red welt pockets. There were beautiful butterfly print dresses with frills to  real fur coat and wooly skirts which sort of had that 90's helmut Lang feel to it . Tisci's collection showed that with the structural shapes.