Sunday, 10 April 2016

Out from hibernation

I haven't blogged for about 5 years now which seems crazy!  I guess as I got older I got busier. It made me smile (and slightly cringe) looking over my very first posts. Looking back at pictures of the work I did at school and college I can see how I had the creativity and drive that has made me into the designer I am today.

A very quick recap of the last five years: I completed college having passed the BTEC Fashion Design and Media with D*D*D (Top grades!) where I developed a love for accessory design. I went onto the study fashion accessories (complete course name: Ba(Hons) Cordwainers Fashion Accessories: Product Design and Development) at the London College of Fashion. I am still currently a student but on a placement year at Kurt Geiger (I absolutely love it, as stylish as the Devil Wears Prada but without the bitchiness) I return to uni in October to complete the final year of my degree!

Does anyone still use blogspot? Let me know if you do! 

Sunday, 17 April 2011

The Start Of A New Project

As soon as we hand in one set of projects, we straight away get a new brief. Well they do say ‘No rest for the wicked’. Our new one is called ‘Turning Japanese’. Just by the title of it I was getting rather excited. We are to produce a design package and garment that could be worn by the host/hostess of a Japanese themed club night. Our final outcome is to be a kimono, well something that resembles the shape of it. We will be able to use block pattern pieces that we can alter to suit the design of our kimono. We were asked to start our research over the Easter break. This could be on Japanese culture, food, art- anything Japanese really. Our research will help influence our designs and final piece.


I have always been fascinated and completely in love with Harajuku. A few years ago I went through a brief Decora stage (so quick that it ended before it really had begun) let’s just say people in England don’t understand it how they do in Japan. In addition to that carrying a whole load of plastic toys strapped around your neck not also weighed a lot but made moving safely a bit of an issue (there was always the possibility of getting strangled by a caught up hello kitty). I love how the use of bright colours, prints and animated characters, such as Hello Kitty are incorporated onto clothing. It’s defiantly clear that all styles of Harajuku (I’ll explain about the different Harajuku style tribes in my next post) play on the inner child inside of everyone. Out of all the styles Lolita has to be my favourite. It’s just so pretty to look at. What with all the pastel colours, cute motifs and Victorian style lace it’s so girly. I will consider using this as my main inspiration.


Our new sketchbooks open up to reveal pages that look like a huge fan. I decided to play on the fact that it opened up like this by trying to make the first pages look like they joint up to form a street. On the first set of double pages I wrote the lyrics from a Gwen Stefani song (Harajuku girls) where she basically is singing her adoration for the ‘Harajuku Girls’. It’s clear on her obsession with this style as it’s been used lots in her videos that feature her girls- Love, Angel, Music and Baby and her fashion and perfume line called ‘Harajuku Lovers’. So I thought who else is more deserving to appear on my first pages.

I started off by typing ‘Harajuku’ into google. I already had some knowledge of Harajuku fashion and the station but never really knew much about the area of Harajuku or how the popularity of it rose. Turns out it was a small village that became hugely popular after WW11. The area of Washington heights was built up of army houses that were used to host athletes in the 1964 Olympics. Shops were built to cater for the families that lived there which allowed youths to explore western culture. The area became popular due to people wanting to meet the Olympic athletes. The increase in popularity therefore inspired shops and fashion businesses to set up.



Harajuku station is where the cool kids hang. Not just a station it serves as a dressing room for people who cosplay and dress up in Harajuku fashion. As you can tell I haven’t really finished this page hence the big blank space in the centre of the station. I’ll either paint people onto it or use a photograph as I like to mix media. I have already started on other pages further into the sketchbook but for the sake of trying not to confuse everyone (and of course myself) I’ll scan everything in order so that it makes sense. So keep peeled because there’s more to come!

Monday, 17 January 2011

Commitment is not my strongest point

So it’s been a while since I’ve last posted. Oops. Life is a bit busy and complicated at the moment. Im not sure if that’s a good thing or not really. I've racked up quite a few pictures on my blackberry- mostly to tweet but here’s a few of my favourite:












Tuesday, 21 December 2010

The Body in Art and Design

When I say 'the body in art' what springs to mind? A detailed portrait or the flawless body of Michelangelo's David? A celebration of the human form perhaps or merely outlining the body’s perfection we all aim for. With his perfect six pack and the stance of a male supermodel he is enough to make any man want to join a gym. Possibly he’s the inspiration for many of Bruce Weber’s Abercrombie and Fitch campaigns. The amount of testosterone them adverts give off are enough to drive any women crazy. Not just a statue, he symbolizes that our bodies are worthy to be considered as masterpieces. After all we are just as beautiful as a haute couture dress.

Another way of looking at this is to see how art has/can be incorporated onto our bodies. Take make up for example- used to enhance our facial features or is it something for us to hide under? As Coco Chanel once said “Nature gives you the face you have at twenty; it is up to you to merit the face you have at fifty.” So is it considered a great skill to cover up our imperfections? The art of the brush just how a painter paints a masterpiece? Yes everyone has flaws, even kate Moss. It’s what makes us human and individual after all. I like the quote “Scars are tattoos with better stories” (Toyota advertisement in Sports Illustrated magazine, 3 June 2002)
It speaks to me that we should embrace our bodies- every single part of it. And if we could have it our way then we would all star in a Bruce Weber billboard.

For people who like a little more permanent ink on themselves tattoos are a great appeal. I call it (in some cases) graffiti for the body. Because let’s face it, it really is. Some can be tasteful- even considered beautiful but others are just extreme. A paw print on your breast may be sexy when your in your 20’s but 40 years later are you still going to be rocking that? Maybe not. Taking it to the extreme is like anything really. Calling a dot on a page a piece of art can be considered just that.

Just like doctors who discover cures, artists who find modern ways of presenting the body are exciting. The work of Orlan is pretty fascinating. Her passion for her work is obvious. Who else would go through cosmetic procedures for something they did not believe in? I could not specifically tell you one of her artwork that I favor the most because there are just too many. Her work is more interesting than beautiful. That could be the point of it though. Not just a pretty portrait of someone to look at and forget about but more of a slightly unusual approach to representing the body that is quiet likely to get you thinking – why? And most strangely how?

In the world of art the human body is one of its main inspirations. Both in ways of actual art on the body and art about the body. It can be used to show what we think of as the “ideal” body and how it affects our self esteem. Say for example if Michelangelo's David had not been created, would our thoughts not provoke about wanting perfection and so would there be no need for make up? I guess no one will ever know the answer to that.

Sunday, 19 December 2010

Possibly the best christmas card ever?

Exciting stuff. And this is only the envelope

Inside was a hand written message along the line of "Merry christmas From the Mulberry Team at house of fraser" how thoughtful! The next time I make a "big" purchase from Mulberry, it will most likely be from there because of the great service they offer. Of course this card takes pride of place on top of the tv

Whilst on the matter of Mulberry I am liking the new mini alexa. The normal size one was too big for me when slung over my shoulder. Working out the proportions of the mini one it should be a good a fit. Still at £495 do I really need it? Actually scrap that question of course I do! This is what extra days and overtime at work equals. However first on my ever growing "to buy" list is a mannequin. Need to think of a catchy name for her
The Mini Alexa is literally just a smaller version (ooh and £255 cheaper)

Tuesday, 16 November 2010

The collars of this month

DIY Miu Miu style. Simply stitched two lycra lace swatches I had around the collar.
Of course it needed a bow to finish it off

I went for the whole preppy geek look. Yes thats a Ralph Lauren jumper and shirt but as I explained I was feeling prep/geek. Actually had someone shout nerd at me! What ever happened to freedom of clothing. Its just as important as freedom of speech right?

Saturday, 6 November 2010

Its like Uggs for your ears





I figured its going to be a long winter and I have alot of waiting around for buses/trains so I decided to treat my ears. 100% Cashmere and sheepskin what more could I ask for?