Planning an Exhibition

   Just to prove that I was not just laying around in the sun all day today - instead I was multi-tasking - enjoying the sun AND getting on with bookwork for my final major project. Bellow you can see my two ideas for my exhibition space, which (in case you cant read my terrible handwriting) will have the print I created for my dresses all over the walls, but in a larger scale. I will then use mirrored flooring and ceilings to create an illusion of continuity and infinity. My two black and white garments will be suspended from the ceiling, about 5 inches from the wall, to allow my garments to move slightly when people walk through my space - creating dramatic movement and the sense of juxtaposition between prints. My third garment will be on a stand, further forward, to add both depth to my space and emphasis on the importance of the only injection of colour in my project. My exhibition space as a whole will encourage people to walk inbetween my designs, helping the viewer to really experience my work properly and allowing them to connect with the interactions in my space, hopefully making my work memorable!

We All Come Out When The Sun Is Out

   Such a lush sunny day, which has turned out to be a surprising contrast from the last few drizzly months that was supposedly "spring" time. So finally I am able to put on a summers dress and go outside into the garden to set to work. Today's task - design my installation space for the final major project exhibition. So I am currently outside, with my sunglasses on and Alex Clare's new alum in my ears, cutting, sticking, drawing and sketching out my exhibition space. I shall post my ideas later . . . But for now, enjoy the sunshine!

Numero Uno: Design 2

   So, for the past week I have been working on my second design for my final major project. This is the first garment I have made for this project's collections, but it seemed to work out perfectly with minor hicups. Unfortunately this dress is not tailored for me (but for my friend Faith to model), so in the photo bellow (not the most flattering photo may I add - I am V tired!), the dress is a tad tight around the bum and a bit big around the waist, however it fits Faith perfectly! This dress truly has been a labour of love; I will soon be putting up more photos from the making process, but for now, here's the finished garment - all that's needed is for me to hand sew on the beading. The print is also all hand printed using both screen and puff printing from an A4 drawing I did at the beginning of the project. The printing itself took FOREVER and is also all over the lining!!! So, your opinions?

   Oh, I am ALSO adding a detachable peplum around the waist - a feature that will be prominent this AW12 - you heard it here first ;)

A Parcel For Moi?

   Ok, so it wasn't quite as grand as a parcel. However, when I got home, what did I find awaiting my return? A fancy little envelope with my name on. And inside - an invite to the Westminster fashion show! Why thank you! I shall let you know how it goes later on in the month! So excited to see all the fresh, new talent!

Black or Gold, That Is The Question . . .

   With this cheeky preview of my current project comes some great responsibility for all my lovely readers. This is the dress I am currently working on, which will be COVERED in black & white print, making the eye dance about. But my question for YOU is should I pick black or gold beading? Let me explain a little more, on the left I have the original bodice, however I want to sew beading along the contour lines, as I have marked out on the right at the sides. I could use black which would add a subtle enhancement, but fit in with the black & white. OR I could go for gold to really put emphases on the main focus of my project, to add a classy touch and it would tie in all my three designs, with a gold touch! SO whats YOUR opinion? BLACK OR GOLD???

Oooops, I Missed!

   So today (as you may be able to tell) I have been "working" with paint. Black paint to be specific. I have spent the last week, from 9am to 5pm printing meters and meters of material using screen printing, ready to make my three garments for FMP (as seen in my previous post). Anyway, today was a tad of a disaster. Firstly my face, hands and arms became covered in black, which doesn't come off without a whole load of scrubbing & caused some strange looks on the bus home. Then a great big blob of BLACK paint fell on my white fabric I'd been printing for half an hour, and it was in the middle!!!! GRRRRR. However, no fear, with a bit a magic, it has been restored - almost as good as new! Anyway, I'm off now to do yet more painting - this time watercolour paint for my fashion designs. Toodles!

Taking Measurements & Attending Dress Fittings

   So its FMP time - and in case you don't know, that stands for final major project. It is (as the name may suggest) the final BIG project to my 1 year Foundation Fashion Design course. And I have a mere month left to produce my three designs you see bellow. I am not going to lie, I have loved the past year and will miss it just a little, however the next few months could be full of opportunities if I play my cards right, making the unknown rather exciting. Anyway enough about my life plans, time to chat about designs. My project for FMP was based around looking at how types of illusions can create a more flattering silhouette for the female form. In my sketchbook I have looked at everything from contrasting colours, contour lines, prints and pattern cutting techniques, in order to explore every possibility of illusions and flattery. I decided to mainly use the application of print to lead the eye to believe that the silhouette of the wearer was a desirable hourglass - with emphasis mainly upon the waist. I drew my inspirations for the prints from looking at the lines and structures of London's architecture - interpreting their forms into something that could create quite a unique take upon a silhouette - as inspired by Mary Katrantzou's SS12 collection. The first two garments I make are planned to be in a contrasting black and white, for the greatest dramatic impact, with the third and final dress in bright commanding colours - to close my collection's catwalk show, ending the show on a memorable high. I have also chosen my models now, with Florence Imogen Smith bravely modelling the leotard in my first design, Faith Jolly modelling the second complete with it's detachable peplum, and me modelling the third and final garment. Bellow you can see my (almost) complete designs, of which I intend to add watercolour to as well as fabric swatches; you can also see me pattern cutting and making the toiles (practise pieces) for each of my garments, including the first garment fittings on my models - which I am happy to report that there was very little I needed to adapt! Anyway hope you enjoy looking at what I have been up to and I would love to hear your feedback!