Sunday, 22 November 2009

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.






Friday, 20 November 2009

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.











Tuesday, 17 November 2009

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!

Monday, 16 November 2009

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.

Tuesday, 10 November 2009

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....












Monday, 9 November 2009

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...

Friday, 6 November 2009

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!

Monday, 2 November 2009

R&R Loves...


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