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...