A Handmade 2hr Pencil Skirt

So for my current design project, I need to make a skirt. And this would be my toile. It is only a basic pencil skirt - of which the pattern I cut myself - but I will be using plenty of texture & embellishments to build up a more unique & interesting silhouette. . . so keep tuned.

LIVE at McQ AW12 LFW

Firstly I must state, this is the most excited I have got about blogging for ages.

And this would be because I have just witnessed the AW12 collection of McQ. This season I have three short phrases for you. Enhanced hourglass hips. Light and fluffy florals. Delicate, intricate autumn leaves. And by the end of this show, I must admit I was left with a surreal urge of excitement and energy for the season to come (even though that would be wishing away the many summer months that we have not had yet!). So here are a few shots I got of the live thing, not the best of quality, but I think it adds a nice authenticity before I post up the official photos from the collection along with a video.

The first dress that really caught my eye, when I saw a flash of deep crimson appear from the back of the stage. The colour really reflecting the cosy warmth that you can only feel on an autumns day (inside that is). A colour which is matches cleverly with the change in colour of the leaves that season. However not so much the leaves that fall onto the McQ stage - which in this case are a pure white.

The 50's hourglass silhouette forever lives on. Perhaps it is because the flow of its curves neatly reflect the delicate elegance of a women. Or perhaps its purely down to the way the waist is pulled into a dainty chinch, while the volume in the skirt only enhances the smallest part of the female silhouette. And this enhancement is naturally exaggerated at McQ, by really accentuating the hips, with huge yet light and airy skirts.
One of my favourite pieces from the collection was this floral dress, with black sheer neckline and sleeves, decorated in next season's leafy prints. The dress is cut to my favourite hourglass silhouette, with an extreme bounce and movement within the light layered volume of the skirt-of which it's hem only mimics the floral decor, using a delicate rouching to reflect blossoms. I love the way the leafy top half is juxtaposed with the florals of the dress, representing perfectly the change in seasons.
It was a real shame I did not get a better shot of this dress, however you can see the gorgeous silhouette formed by it's full skirt. But the detail that you can not see within the picture is the sheer section of the dress on top, which is decorated with a beautifully delicate leafy print.

And finally, out of the newly darkened lights came a rather romantic white dress, with its full skirt layered in white blossom falling from the waist. I will not ruin the theatrical end to the show for you, but I will just leave it with the statement "You MUST watch!!!", and with the parting photo (bellow) that us Live streamers saw. To see the full video, go to http://www.facebook.com/BrandMcQueen?sk=videos#!/BrandMcQueen?sk=app_172114649566538 where it will be posted soon.

And finally - just so you can see part of how excited the show left me - a few of the 18 tweets that I tweeted within about 5minutes after watching the show - it left me with so much to say. To see more you can follow me on twitter @imafreeebitch or go to https://twitter.com/#!/imafreeebitch

Day 1 AW12 London Fashion Week Highlights

So London Fashion Week AW2012 started this week, and I shall be reporting back to you with some of the best pieces from each collection shown from each day at LFW. My particular favourite from the first day was Gyodor Golan. The collection started quite dramatically in dark shades and sharp leather cuts, but soon uplifted into a snow white fantasy of full on fur, dazzling silver shine and dainty pleats. However it was the red pieces that really secured my favouritism, mainly a sheer topped dress built up by a textured neckline (as seen bellow). And to round off the collection in an unexpected twist - out appeared a little green 'alien' third from last, to shake it up this rather surreal collection.

Anyone who knows me knows I love my leopard print! So this collection by Caroline Charles really took my eye.

The Kiely collection was by far the CUTEST of the day & could likely be the cutest of the season, with it's inspirations from the 1940's dancing scene.Great use of colour at Bora Asku for what can sometimes be a duller season, with an extra edition of a floral print.

Beautiful hourglass silhouettes at Wickstead, some similar to the cuts from the 1950's New Look.

And the front row style on Day 1 of LFW couldn't get better . . .

Mary Katrantzou, Nick Knight & NEWGEN. My my, Topshop has been busy today . . .

And I thought my week has been busy this week, what with preparing portfolios, going to a uni interview in London and keeping on top of two fashion design projects. Well now that feel like nothing compared to what Topshop has been up to this week - with today being the official launch of the Mary Katrantzou range (super exciting for me) and the NEWGEN T-shirt designs for charity. They have also been busy collaborating with SHOWstudio's Nick Knight to make a promotional fashion film to go with these exciting new collections. And on top of all that, they are currently preparing to show their Unique AW12 collection at LFW on Sunday 19th. So here are just a few clipits from what has been going on in the world of Topshop. . .

Bellow, the window in the flagship store in London is displaying an exciting array of Katrantzou prints, and the different store layouts 'the calm before the Katrantzou storm' as Topshop tweets.

And as well as releasing the NEWGEN tops collection today (as seen bellow in window & store displays) they have also just extended their sponsorship to NEWGEN for a further 10 years - as seen in their tweet bellow.

And finally, SHOWstudio:Nick Knight presents the NEWGEN for Topshop fashion film. ENJOY!!

Today is for Whitney

R.I.P Whitney Houston, you had one of the greatest voices, so filled with power and emotion. You are a true talent, success and inspiration to so many women - not just because of you voice and acting talent, but because of the empowerment you gave to so many women. You gave so many women the strength to be true to themselves and the ability to keep strong in the toughest of situations. And for that I thank you, as I was one of those women. I will miss your inspirational ways for a lifetime. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and friends. And may you rest in peace. ♥

And here are just a few of her amazing achievements,

Music -

1. I Will Always Love You (1992)

2. Greatest Love of All (1986)

3. How Will I Know (1985)

4. All The Man I Need (1990)

5. I Want To Dance With Somebody (1987)

6. Where Do Broken Hearts Go (1988)

7. Didn't We Almost Have It All? (1987)

8. Saving All My Love For You (1985)

9. I'm Your Baby Tonight (1990)

10. So Emotional (1987)

Films -

1. The Bodyguard

2. Waiting to Exhale

3. The Preacher's Wife

4. Sparkle

A NEW GENeration of Designers for Topshop

Recently, the new trend seems to be designers designing pieces for our highstreet. What with the latest Versace for H&M collection and Marry Katrantzou for Topshop this February. Well Topshop has also given the chance to 20 NEWGEN past & present designers the chance to design tops in a bid to raise money for Centre Point charity (£7 per sale going to the charity). These are available from 17th February. My personal favourite is the one by Nasir Mazhar, but what is yours?

Tops by Nasir Mashar, Holly Fulton, Louise Gray
Mary Katrantzou, Emma Cook

Michael van der Ham, Richard Nicoll, J.W.Anderson

Marios Schwab, House of Jazz, Meadham Kirchhoff Roksanda Ilincic, Jonathan Saunders, Craig Lawrence

Peter Jensen, Gareth Pugh, Erdem

Peter Pilotto, Christopher Kane, Ashish

Mary Katrantzou for Topshop

It was only 2 and a half years ago that I was researching Katrantzou for a design project, after finding her presented as one of NEWGEN's new and exciting designers. Today, she is one of the most promising and quickly rising designers of SS12. This season's collection has already been featured in several big magazine, has been warn by important clients and now she is planned to release a collection with Topshop on February 17th. Personally I am in love with her work. It really inspires me how she uses such a vibrant mix of prints to create very dramatic garments, in some quite structural shapes, to ensure that you can not miss her work. Another thing that I admire about her work is how she uses print - as her digitally prints have the ability to create the illusion of them actually being 3d. Personally it makes me (as a viewer) want to reach out and touch the garments, to take a closer look, showing just how well she can entice her audience. See more of her capsule collection bellow. . .

And as for me, I think I may save up for a piece - after all I have uni interviews coming up and want to look my best! And who better to wear, than a designer who inspires you!

Reading Between This Seasons Ads.

Pastel Pallet

Colour is always a large focus point for the sunnier seasons of the fashion year; so differing from last year's bright clashing colours, this year it is all about the palest of washes. The shades are much more delicate and feminine - such as in the Jill Stuart ads - and some being almost sickly sweet with their candy influences like that of Mulberry this season. Colours to invest in include glacier blue, spearmint green, bitter lemon and damask rose.

The Glitz & Glam of the 1020's Art Deco

Inspired by the frivolous wealth and expressive movement of the 1920's, reminisced because of this year's film adaption of F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby. The Roberto Cavalli ad and Gucci campaigns show this trend brimming with lavish details, such as extravagant beading, tasseled trims and a wealth of gold.

Decorate My Surface

Probably the most recognisable in the Louis Vuitton collection, this season decorative garments have not been designed for after dark hours only, but instead the pastels and playfully feminine cuts make them appropriate for daylight time too. Prabul Gurang has also used this idea and the use of florals to create a more dynamic 3d floral print within this season's collection. Popular materials used within this trend include satins and light weight chiffons.

Pure or Graphic?

Girly vs masculine. Soft curves vs crisp tailoring. Innocence vs the bold. This season's white trend spoils us for choice, offering a feminine take of lace and sheer fabrics within delicate dresses or precision cut tailoring in crisp cottons, such as the Emporio Armani collection bellow.

Vintage Americana

America has always been seen as the land of hope and dreams. Such as during the 1930's, where people would go there to find their American Dream during the Great Depression. Well now we are battling through the credit crunch, designers (Prada in particular) have decided to show us a glimpse of light, featuring the positive vibe of the 1950's America. Think glossy leathers, cat eye glasses and preppy checks all in ice cream shades. I personally have fallen in love with Prada's mix of masculine muscle-car prints with girly cuts. Another designer featuring a display of 50's USA is John Galliano.

Sheer Sheen

Can be dangerously risque or ultra feminine. This season, as well as the razzle-dazzle of the 1920's deco, there is also a subtler trade in of radiance, with a sheer sheen to the fabrics on SS12's runways. Glistening silk organzas and new technological materials that appear to radiate a luminous glow can be a more of a daytime look compare to deco. The trend can be taken two ways, Firstly a clearer material can create a futuristic danger, such as the transparent material seen in the Chanel ad bellow. The second take would by feminine satins, which flow with the bodies'movement or metallic materials, like that used in Givenchy SS12.

The Prettiest of Bouquets

Florals are one of those trends that are highly predictable that they will be featured greatly in SS collections. However each and every year designers manage to mix it up and create a new spin on the trend. This year embellishments are used heavily to create more interest and surface texture. Beads, applique and printed perennials are all used, and at Christopher Kane, floral stickers are used as a bed underneath a layer of sheer organza. Two other designers using this prominently in the collections are Stella McCartney and designers at Topshop.

Digitally Refined

Digital prints are everywhere this season, ranging from florals to animal prints to some of the most eye-catching underwater prints at Mary Katrantzou. Digital printing has seemed to of grown from strength to strength each season after Alexander McQueen's memorable SS10 collection, where the world's eyes were truly opened to just what could be achieved by the technique. This season's promise to be exuberant, overwhelming and very very playful. Some designers exploring the possibilities of digital include Frankie Morello and Maje.

The Crimson Tide

Every season within fashion seems to have one dominant shade that will be key within a lot of collections. This season we see the colour crimson taking a rise. Perhaps this strong, intoxicating colour is to rein over the wash of pastels, or to reflect the warmth, relaxation and passion that could be experience within these sunnier months of the year. Alexander McQueen's collection sees quite a romantic take on this trend, using sheer materials and soft layering to create a movement of love. Whereas Tom Ford's collection sees the colour used in more of a refined way, to reflect the sexuality and danger behind this seasons big colour.