Decode

Went to visit my friend in London last weekend and ended up at the 'Decode' exhibition at the V&A in South Kensington. Had to be talked round at first to go and see it but once i was there i had the best experience.
So i don't know that much about the latest technologies, so a lot of what was on display was completely new territory for me and i loved it. The entrance pathway into the exhibition was lined with long plastic plant like forms, which lit up and flashed when they came into contact with movement. They were designed by Daniel Brown, who works extensively with electronic codes and is a pioneer in the field of new media.
My other favourite pieces included the Digital Zoetrope, by Trokia, which focused on the interplay between technology, design and the arts. It was a spinning circle which when focused on, allowed you to catch certain words on a story depending on where you looked. It was extremely mesmerizing and the illusion was extremely effective. Also Study For A Mirror was an extremely effective and interesting piece, which focused on how people don't spend enough time looking at exhibits. You sat in front of the mirror-esque piece and watched as it gradually painted your portrait. You couldd clearly see who was spending enough time appreciating the work as their outlines appeared on the screen.

I found myself comparing this exhibition greatly to ShowStudio, another exhibition that uses high tech technology, and i have to say that i found the atmosphere in Decode much more interesting then in ShowStudio, which i felt was pretentious and all about how things were exhibited, instead of having a lot of content. I have since returned to the Decode exhibition...

Fashion As A Forum - 1

Had my first theroy lesson today and im so excited - i literally cant wait to write something academic again! It's been way too long since i had to write an essay and i miss it, so i think im going to enjoy this unit. Our essay is all about digital technology being used in the fashion idustry, be it in exhibitions, for catwalk shows etc, and i think we have to reference the 'Show Studio' exhibition we saw last term - which by the way i was not a fan of. I appreciate what they were trying to do but it just seemed a bit flashy and style concious, when it should have just focused on the garments themsleves. Anyway i have a research week this week so i'm going to look at a ton of online exhibits to get some inspiration before choosing my title.

Temperley London Pre-Fall 2010

Ever since i did a work placement at Temperley London, i've been obsessed with their clothes and collections. Theres something so elegant about a Temperley dress - theyre timeless and chic without being trying too hard. Perfection in everyway.

I love the colour of this dress - its so striking and the fabric and cut is beautifully elegant.

Love the monochrome on this one - slightly rockier?

I'm really liking the sheer fabrics on this one - very elegant... the perfect LBD?

My Favourite Dress

I got this amazing book for xmas and im addicted to it. It basically asks fashion designers what their favourite dress is either from their own collections or from other designers and invites them to tell the story behind it. It includes designers such as Louise Goldin, Donna Karan, Paco Rabanne and Vivienne Westwood; along with other fashion related personalities like Jane Bruton.
My favourite contribution has to be from Bella Frued, whose choice was her 1992 Belle De Jour dress. I like it becuase, as Bella says, its simple but makes you look twice, and i also love how she uses her muse, Susie Bick, as inspiration for her collections, speaking of her with respect and inspiration.

This also got me thinking about my favourite dress or dresses and i thought id share. I have three... cant make a decision apparently! The first is my High School prom dress... a slim fit cream creation with insane twists and twirls of fabric at the hemline. Bought in Barcelona as an impulse buy and loved so much i tried to convince my parents to buy it a seat on the plane home!
The second is my little black dress - completely worn out and indecently short but its so sixties and so cute.
And the third is my printed wrap dress - becuase everyone should own one. I miss wrap dresses - where on earth did they all go??!

“When all is said and done, when everything is gone, the photograph is what’s going to remain. The photographer is the producer of history.” Nat Finkelstein

Love this quote!

UEA - Affordable Vintage Photoshoot

The Students at UEA took part in a photoshoot for Affordable Vintage - which runs stalls near the university providing the city with the quirkiest and most off-the-wall fashions!

Catch their facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/photo_search.php?page=5&oid=66792587188&aid=-1&auser=&view=all#/group.php?gid=66792587188

Extrordinary Menswear

As i have a Menswear workshop day coming up at uni i thought i'd have a quick look at some of the more bizarre menswear collections out there at the moment, including this spread from Electric Youth! magazine -

Fashion Spot: Giles Deacon

Giles Deacon Goes Crazy In Florence

This is the best example i've seen of truly orginal inspiration. I love that its set in Florence as i love the city and i'm drawn to the slightly childish, fairytale vibe the photoshoot has. I've never really looked at Giles Deacon as inspiration before but im defiantely referencing his future collections from now on - this is incredible! Plus i really want the headpiece in the top picture!!

Catch the video at: http://www.dazeddigital.com/view/default.aspx?Category=19&ArticleID=6259&PageNum=1

Joshua Demonte - Architectural Accessories

Whilst researching wearable architecture for my collection, i stumbled across the most incredible accessory designer - Joshua Demonte. He creates larger then life structural pieces which are truly show stopping...

Professional Project

So the New Year is here which means i finally get to start my Professional project/collection! Lieterally so excited! There were about four briefs to choose from including a denim jacket reinvention, one set by the society of colourists and dyers, A lectra brief and one created by Fab Frocks of Westbourne; which is the one ive settled on. The brief calls for a minimum of four outfits of evening wear design to be showcased in their window displays. i chose this particular brief as i've always wanted to design evening wear - i think its every designers guilty pleasure - and the brief allows me to be as creative as i want without limiting rules, like the denim or lectra briefs.

I've started basic research, basing the inital ideas on internal architecture, which involves looking at the foundations and interiors of buildings, the human skeleton and the inner workings of watches and machinery - all of which has been inspiring so far - especially the watches. I still have to decide on a colour palette, but i think i'll go with a classic Chanel-esque theme of black, white and nuetrals.

R&R Loves...

Amazing Fashion Photos...