Contour Couture Photoshoot

Photoshoot for Group project - mini jacket collection styled and shot by Lucy Carroll.

I thought our photoshoot went really smoothly and the styling worked with the pieces and didnt detract from them. I think it helped keep the enthusiasm levels up towards the end of the construction period as it was exciting to see our nearly finsihed pieces being worn and styled.

Stylist/Photographer: Lucy Carroll

PPRD2 Task: Future of British Fashion

Im definately one to believe in the staying power of British fashion, despite the critics who tell me that the fashion industry belongs to the countries that are able to manufacture items at no cost at all. in my eyes Britain has the worlds most creative and daring designers, the most off the wall street style and the most theatrical shows - in my eyes all it needs now is to bring back the constructive side of the industry.
It also seems to be british creatives who are leading the leap into the new technolgies surrounding the industry, especially nick knight and the late alexander mcqueen, who were at the forefront of the live streaming trend last season.
And with everyone going eco mad - what could be more environmentally friendly then manufacturing in your own country, cutting out millions of air/sea miles and providing much needed jobs in todays recesion struck society?

PPRD2 Set Tasks

The second year of PPRD sees me looking towards my future career in a more serious manner and deciding what it is i want from it. It also encourages me to think about what makes me a unique and inspiring designer and how ive grown personally over the past year.

the first task involved thinking of something i've become good at and how ive achieved this. I think the main improvment has been in my confidence in toile reviews and in how i present my work and ideas. This is probably due to my confidence in my collection, which stems from knowing that ive designed and created four garments that are true to my personality and design philosophy. I take criticism much better this term as well and use it as a foundation to build upon instead of taking it personally.

The second task involved thinking about a learning experience that went wrong and why. This one is more difficult to answer as i think all my learning experiences on the course have been positive ones and im not sure any of them have gone 'wrong'.

The third task invited me to decide on five people i think are successful and why. and also to decifer what it is i can learn from them.

As my five I chose (fashion related for this post): Antonia Pugh-Thomas, Kate Moss, Tavi Gevinson, Louise Goldin and Karl Lagerfeld.

Reasons:

Karl Lagerfeld - he's always been an inspiration to me, in particular because of his ability to take a dying brand and restore it to glory. It takes a true genius to understand a brands history and to take it forward into a contemporary market without losing its roots.

Antonia Pugh-Thomas - Started her business from nothing and now creates incredible couture. She also commands respect without trying. An inspiration/aspiration.

Kate moss- has the uncanny ability to make bad press into good press. Her key to success is knowing exactly who she is and not apoligizing for it.

Tavi Gevinson - teen blogger who has the fashion industry at her feet. If sitting front row at fashion week when youre only thirteen isnt success, i dont know what is.

Lousie Goldin - hailed as a one trip pony after her first collection but proved everyone wrong with her latest offering, which is out of this world.

Group Blog

Follow my 'Traces' Group blog at 'tracesproject.blogspot.com' - We used this group blog to communicate ideas and hold virtual meetings with one another. It was also used as an outlet for inspirations and as a support network for each team member.

http://tracesproject.blogspot.com/

Peclers!!!

Okay im seriously excited about the Peclers presentation!! literally jumping up and down :D
I've seriously fallen in love with that company and the work they do since my placement and can't wait to see the presentation, as it'll be from the season that i worked on whilst at my placement. I'll be able to predict the predictions!

FAD

"The advancement of education in fashion design and related subjects by creating a culture which promotes the dignity, true worth and beauty of the individual through projects, activities, lectures, publications and events.”

Fashion Awareness Direct, who set the brief for my jacket/group project, is a creative charity who enables young and emmerging design talent with opotunities to show their collections in fashion shows and also to participate in workshops that further their learning and practical skills. They also place a high emphasis on developing confidence and experience which enables young talent to succeed in a difficult industry.

FAD aim to make people central to design, promoting respect for the wearer and as well as promoting art and culture in fashion.

They try to create challenging briefs and competitions to inspire intelligent design and individual expression. After looking at the semi finalists of the Traces project brief i can understand how FAD is such an amazing organisation for young talent as the responses chosen were intelligent, well thought out and truly inspirational.

My Salvation!

This is what fashion is for... to inspire you when you thought ideas would never come! The only thing keeping me going with my designing at the moment is the dream that one day i'll get to create something like this....

Breakthrough!

Finally designed a jacket that i like and want to make!! This is the confidence boost i've been needed this week :) Became really inspired by a photograph that i've had since i was a child, which has both the origami edge to it and the personal memory link needed for our project. Been really inspired to continue with this line of designing.
Its a really versatile idea so it works for all garments and therefore has been relativly simple to incorporate into my designing.

PPRD2 Task: Key sites

One of our PPRD2 tasks was to find out what a few key websites are:

• Fashion Monitor: A site delivering the key insider knowldge of the style and beauty industries. Includes a daily news report and a massive list of contacts and updates from the biggest names.
• Mintel: Provides market research for users.
• Companies House: Provides information on all listed UK companies

PPRD2 Task: Five Year Plan

I used to have an extremely well thought out five year plan plus a relatively organised ten year one... however i didnt plan for changes in situation and point of view lol.
My plan to move to london for my third year of my degree is no longer on my agenda - instead i've decided to stay in bmournemouth for my top up year as the turoe time, studio space and general atmosphere seems to be more to my liking then the reports i've been getting from my london sources.
However after this third year i would love to move up to the capital and do a masters at the royal college of arts or csm - a girl can dream! After that i'm considering a move into couture - i have some great contacts from my placements which will help with this and its the area i've always wanted to go into - but i guess im open to change...

Designing issues

I have serious designing issues... Thought this project would be a breeze to design for however i just cant seem to get inspired! I think the group element is throwing me off a little - trying to fit your designing style in with everyone elses ideas is tricky, especially as im such an independant worker. As our project is all about memories im looking back at childhood memories and family history, as well as looking at the collective element of the project, which involves embellishment and wearing your memories on your sleeve- quite literally. Its proving challenging to tie all the ideas together and come up with a clearly defined direction in which to design.

Need inspiration soon!

R&R Loves...

I'm in love with these shoes.... Dolce and Gabbana and spotted on a styling website.

Learning Agreement

This year we have been introduced into the hell that is learning agreements... ok exaggeration but seriously how am i meant to know exactly what shape i want my project to take a week into it. However it is worth a percentage of my grade and we have our groups to support our ideas and claims so its a good way to practice for our professional project LA.

Garment Tech 1

The first thing to say is that Garment Tech really isn't my thing... I understand how important it is for those working within the commerical industry and that its a great skill to know, but i really cant get to grips with it. I guess i dont understand how anyone working in fashion, who is surrounded by a whole host of creative jobs and people, would want to measure garments... I think it might stem from the fact that im completely set on working in the couture industry and therefore feel its less relavent to my career path?

Anyway i have four weeks of it to contend with, so i guess it'll be one of those things which i just have to get on with... next week should be more interesting as were measuring our own garments and comparing them to others, but this week was just too much paperwork to be fun.

New Year, New Brief

The three words that have been circulating in my head during the lead up to second year: Excitement, Indecision and Inspiration.

My excitement is due to the fact that this year i get to design and construct my own collection, as well as partake in a group project, which will hopefully challenge me and inspire me. The indecision comes from a summer of placements, some i loved, some i hated and one that changed my future focus. And the inspiration... im constantly looking for it - my collection is weighing on my mind and im just trying to collect as much inpirational material as possible before being briefed on it.

Anyway, moving on to our current brief: Traces. It's all about memories; personal, historical, collective. Traces is the main theme for our group project, during which i work with two other designers and two promoters to achieve a mini collection, which inculdes three jackets of our own indiviudal design. There's also the chance to work with a textiles student to develop the fabric provided for our jackets! Personally im really excited by this brief - the group part sounds like it might be a challenge, but im eager to dive straight in.

Runways and Ribbons: Second Year

So it's been a week since i started back at the arts university for my second year of FdA fashion and so far its been an incredibly hetic but positive start. We already have our brief for this term, a project whichi novlves team work and the uni's textile students, with the outcome being a jacket. This project is also linked to a competiton run by FAD, which is exciting and nervewracking at the same time.
My blog will be continued this year, cataloguing the ups and down of my second year of study and will also be linked to my group blog, Traces, so that particular project can be followed simultaneously.

Last Post (for the moment!)

The Last Post

And so ends the first two terms of my first year at uni and part one of my blog! I hated it at the start but now im rather loving it! :)

i cant believe im two thirds of the way through year one of my course - its gone so fast! but its been so much fun and definately the right path for me!

So, for now, i shall conclude my blog. Thanks for reading! :D

Designer Profile

LOVING AT THE MOMENT!
Louise Goldin

I have recenetly discovered the creations of Louise Goldin whilst researching for my fashion vs sport design roject. Goldin graduated from Central Saint Martins, london, and creates futuristic shapes from knitted fabrics. Her first collection was shown in 2005 as part of CSM's graduate show at London week she decribes her work as "innovative, futuristic and luxurious".

I love Goldin's work becuase it is always made up of the most fantastic shapes and harnesses the sportswear influence to the full. I love the volumionus sleeves and angular leggings and the nuetral colour schme and she's defiantely my favorite designer at the moment.

Buying and Merchandising

Buying and Merchandising

Weve started a new unit this term called Buying and Merchandising and to be honest i really don't like it. I've never really been interested in the promotion side of the industry, preferring designing over buying and so i wasnt looking forward to the unit. But as with everything i do, i decided to give it a fair chance and see what it was like, but unfortunately i just cant get to grips with it. I think its becuase theres too many rules and deadlines involved in buying, which makes me feel very stifled and its lacking the essential creative elelment. However i have learnt a hundred new things about the industry - which i guess is always useful to know when working in an area, even if it is not your department.
The negative side of the course is the fact that we have to do a styling spread based on our own design. This involves using illustrator or photoshop, neither of which im particularly confident on and so im freaking out a little bit. Theres only about three weeks left in which to complete it and i really have nothing. Not good...

Video

Okay so i finally watched the DVD made about and by Karl Lagerfeld (of Chanel fame), despite everyone telling me it would just be a hour of ego boasting by, i quote, "the weirdest man alive". It wasnt. noti n my opinion anyway. I am and always have been a fan of Lagerfeld's work and the House of Chanel, and i love their philopshy, ethos and the spectacluar show they always put on at any fashion event. I love the crisp elegance of the black and white colour palet, the pretentiousness of their stores and the couture, and i was hesitant to watch the video in case it really was just an hour of egotistical boasting.
However i found the film to be incredibly honest, insighful and probably the only thing thats made me actually realise that being a designer is as glmaourous as it sounds. Even for the head of Chanel... it also made me want to be one even more if its at all possible.
I learnt many things including that Lagerfeld takes all the companies fashion images himself and that the techinal and construction team are probably the best in europe, making beuaitful gamrents from the most unclear illustrations ever!
Afterwards i kind of wished i'd watched it sooner :)

"Fashion is transient, dangerous and unfair" - Karl Lagerfeld

London Fashion Week!

ON/OFF - London Fashion Week!

Just came back from London fashion week, where i worked on the ON/OFF shows for 'Doll'. One word... AMAZING!

Seriously i had so much fun and learnt so much about the world of design from those five days its unbelievable. Saturday was really boring as we were just building up the backstage area which was tiring and back breaking - all that designer water being shifted from lift to backstage.... never again!

Sunday was the first shows - Falguni and Shane Peacock in the morning which was really organised and the dresses were incredible. it was probably my favorite show of all and the designers left actually knowing my name... which was cool :)

In the afternoon was Kristoff's show.... not good. whoever though five pairs of shoes and eleven models was a good idea should be committed... i mean wheres the sense in that?! I swear him yelling 'get me a forty, get me a fucking forty' is etched in my mind forever. The clothes were pretty cool though so i might almost let him off... almost.

Monday was a really exciting day as Pam Hogg was showing her relaunch collection, using famous models and the majority of London's It girls as models. im not ashamed to admit i got a little star struck when i got asigned Jamie Winstone as my model. It was pretty cool to meet Daisy Lowe and Alice Dellal etc. although the highlight had to be getting sent to find Alfie Allen by Jamie... he was little bit charming...giggling school girl anyone? lol

Nah it was fun and the atmsophere backstage was electric, with the press going insane and a million people diving in and out before the show started, all desperate for a sneak peak of the infamous collection.

After Pam Hogg's show, i stayed on to help dress for the ON/OFF presents show, in which i dressed for Ceceila Mary Robson. Cecelia has to be the most relaxed and possibly he coolest desinger of the whole event. She was so organised and i thought the collection was reallym ature for a debut show. There was nothing showy or over the top about the clothes, just beautiful designs and impeccable execution which i really respected. I also got given a business card and hopefully im goign ot do some work experince with her and her company. I think seeing what happens after a debut show will be really insightful.

The final show was that of Ashley Isham. The only thing i can say about him is that he's not afrais of the odd sequin or two! imagine mirrored backgounds on the runway, elaborately gemed dresses and so many reflective surfaces it was like being in the hosue of mirrors. However he was the kindest designer and really took care of his staff and the dressers which was much appreciated! I foudn myself dressing three models symaltaneously for his show due to lack of dressers which was a challenge to say the least but in a fun way. The models were all lovely and really helpful in my time of need lol.

All in all i had the most fantastic time and cant wait for the shows in Septemeber!

Student Ambassador

I have decided to apply to be a Student ambassador which is kind of cool. As i really enjoy being a course rep, i thought it might be good fun and another item to bulk up the c.v - honest but true! anyway the interviews are soon and im actually kind of nervous but we'll see...

Work Experience

Placement: Alice Temperley

My seems like finally my placement for May is set - i'm going to be working in the pattern cutting department at Alice Temperley, London. firstly im so excited to have a placment at such a well known brand and one that i'm personally a huge fan of. Secondly its in LONDON... Yey! :) and thirdly im really excited to be doing a placement in pattern cutting. i've always maintained from the start that by the end of this year i wanted to have done a placment in design, pattern cutting and forecasting, and so im psyched to have another placement sorted out!

I'm going to be working with one of the Art Institute graduates who is one of the pattern cutters there which will be awesome and hopefully will mean i'm looked after - which is reassuring. anyway more on the placement after the event...

Toile: Step two

Toile: Step Two

Yey! i've finished my toile! and its looks good i think. there are a couple of alterations to do but apart from that its in keeping with my original design which im so pleased about. Its also finished to the standard i wanted it to be which took a lot of effort but it was worth it! everyone seemed to really like it at my toile review which is encouraging and now i've just got to make it out of the proper fabric...

Toile: step one

Step one = Toile

So ive picked a design with the help of my tutor, taking into consideration my non exisitent construction skills and i'm finally making my toile... its going... ok?

although i think we picked one of my simpler designs (construction wise) im still struggling with the complexity of translating my own design into an actual garment. It's worlds away from creating a garment based on instructions given to me by my tutors or folow the steps in a book. There's so much to think about and im having real trouble with deciding the order in which i construct my pieces. I'm also having to use the cover stitch machine which has become my latest technological foe... but im determined to finish it to a high standard and before my toile review deadline.

Im aso dicovering that sometimes you have to adjuct your initial design once you start making it out of fabric. This is a hard lesson but a necessary one, which will enable me to be better prepared next time i create something.

Work Experience - Beau Couture

Okay, so not content with the length of my current C.V i decided that more work experience was needed and so i took myself off to the Enterprise Pavilion at the university. After talking to Matt & Claire in the office, i came away with the email address of a graduate who needed help finishing her first collection and another exciting project which i shall talk about later on. 

The graduate was Natasha, who runs her own company called 'Beau Couture' and who makes really beautiful clothes with countryside and sea side inspirations. All of her clothes have amazing shape and textures. The first project she asked me to help her with was a photo shoot of her new collection, which was an amazing experience. 

She shoot four different sets of lingerie, all of which were stunning and so well made. The photo shoot itself was the first professional shoot i've been on and i loved it. It almost made me want to do Buying and Merchandising next year - almost... 

I'm going to continue to do work experience with Natasha and 'Beau Couture' and cant wait. 

I also recommend other students go to the EP, as its such a great way to gain experience of the industry right on your doorstep. 

Work Experience

Okay so its coming up to work experience time which is proving to be more stressful then i thought it would be. If its not a scary lessons on C.V's and letter writing (no offense Sarah, but i was scared!), then its the actual attempts at writing a decent C.V and trying to create a individual and interesting view of yourself, when all you want to do is scream 'give me a job in fashion PLEASE!'. But at least one of my placements is set - hopefully - at the Peclers office in London. I was extremely cheeky after the presentation they did and managed to get my hands on a business card. And after several emails over several weeks, i have finally managed to begin arrangements for a placement in the summer. I've been crazy about fashion forecasting since we were introduced to the Peclers magazines at the start of term and so I'm really excited about this placement. 

London Fashion Week

ON/OFF

After a million weeks trying to get my name on THAT list - you all know the one I'm talking about.... the list for London Fashion Week dressers for the On/Off show.... I'm finally going!!! and I'm so overexcited! Apart from it being good work experience and a great chance to meet people in the industry... it's just plain awesome :) 

I've been desperate to go to London Fashion Week since i can remember and i can't believe I'm actually going... 

Lectra

Last week the unit on Lectra started, which i was really excited about as i love pattern cutting and this was just an extension of that area of study. The initial setting up of the program and digitising the pattern was really interesting and quite simple once you got going. It surprised me how much work you do before actually digitizing the pattern pieces as i thought you just went straight into it. The second part of the unit was slightly trickier as there were so many functions and buttons to understand and use so i was getting a little bit stressed by it, but once I'd familiarized myself with them it went a lot smoother. I think I'm going to enjoy this unit and it will be really helpful in the future as I'm looking into pattern cutting as a career path. 

Fashion Capital Presentation

For PPRD we were put into groups and we had to create a powerpoint presentation on a fashion capital of our choice. Of course i lept at the chance to do the presentation on London as its my favourite capital city of all! Theres just something about London that carries a sort of magic or romance. Its acombination of street style, high fashion, brilliant music scenes and a continuoes stream of chaos that makes it such an exciting place and i cant wait to present our powerpoint.

Within the powerpoint weve covered the history of london's fashion scene, including its hey day in the sixties, famous icons such as Kate Moss and Twiggy and the many talented designers its art schools have produced including Christopher Kane and Louise Goldin, as well as designers Vivienne Westwood and McQueen I am presenting the partson the history and the desingers and design schools and the research has been both insighful and fun!

Fashion Vs Sport Design Project

Okay so after some pretty in depth research and some much needed mental persuasion to over look my doubts on this project, i've finally made soem headway with my sketchbook. As we have to collaborate with an exisiting brand to create our design i have chosen Lacoste, beacuse i love their rand image and adverts and becuase i actually own their bags and perfume so i thought it was best to go with a brand that i had a personal connection to.

After reseacrhing their brand i decided my design should be simply, elegant and neutral coulour wise. It should also have a twist in the design and use one block colour and then lots of white or nude, as refelcted in the Lacoste clothing ranges and adverts.

As i started researching and designing my garments took on a sixties twist, drawig influence from sixties air hostess uniforms, tennis skirts and Pierre cardin's work, of which i am now a devoted fan!

This glance to the past mixs well with the futuristic edge i wanted my designs to have originally and the cuteness of the A line skirt adds a softer touch to the hard colours and sharp edges of my exaggerated shoulders and necklines in my current designs.

Currently i am continuing my designs and research but i am planning to pick a final design soon and to prepare for making my toile - exciting! :)