Surface embellishment

Lately I've become really interested in textures and surface embellishment on fabrics. This summer my plans are to explore this with knitting and embroidery techniques, as well as looking at beading and more experimental ways of creating texture. Hopefully I'll have some fun things to show you all in a few weeks. : ]

Styling shoot.

Well, it's about time I put up the final shots I used during our styling project in Level 4. It's only been a year!
The starting point for this shoot were the words 'Rock' and 'Native', from researching in to these words I gathered imagery and ideas to create the styling. I intertwined the ideas of the traditional native, with the punk and grunge aspects seen within the umbrella of 'rock'.

Goodluck.

I emailed Natasha from Beau Couture to see whether I could go back this summer to help with her current collection. However, she had some excellent news....she's moving to New Zealand, having met another designer there when on holiday they've decided to join forces, so she is moving there to develop her brand. Sad for me as I won't be able to see what she gets up to, but brilliant for her; I wish her all the luck in the world!!!

I'd really enjoyed working with her last summer, seeing the processes you go through whn starting a new business. She's promised me she'll keep me updated of what she gets up to, so hopefully I'll hear from her in the later part of the year to see what exciting things herself and her new creative partner have been getting up to. : ]

It's summer!

Having just finished the final project for this academic year, I'm looking forward to resting and doing things I haven't had the time to do in ages! Already finished one book and moved on to another, the sun is helping my motivation, lots of reading and researching into different things. I really want to explore surface embellishment this summer, as a step to final major projects next year. May as well get a head start on it, and get as much researching and ideas whilst I can! I've also been sorting out my CV, so hopefully [fingers crossed] I can get some work experience over the summer; just waiting to hear back really. Roll on the summer funtimes I say.

Loving the hats!

Today we had a hat workshop at uni, which was so much fun! I'm so pleased with my first attempt at making a hat from scratch, it looks really cute on as well. : ] There were so many options of what type of hat to produce, from the variety of blocks we have at uni. I plan to go in next week and make another in a different shape. I want to add trimming to my hat base, to add a bit of excitement; maybe some feathers or beading. I'll put photos up at a later date.

Doing the workshop has given me lots of ideas for what I could include in my current project, as I am interested in looking at accessories and jewelry. Hats could be an awesome accessory to the garments and overall styling of my outfits.

It was so fun to learn something new and hands on, and I feel fairly confident in making another. Although I think I need to work on my guns, as pulling and shaping the felt once steamed is tricky business!

Hoarding and Post.

I've been constantly thinking about ideas and starting points for my negotiated studies unit, and yesterday I finally had a break through! I am in love with sending and receiving post, and also just hoarding anything and everything. With the 'Paper Eaters' theme as a starting point I realised how little people post letters now, with the increase in technology and everything. This saddens me greatly.

I have begun initial research by asking my friends from around the country to post me something that they see as an item they might hoard, or just something they find interesting, exciting or just a bit odd. I want to see what stimulates others. I have also asked them to send me text or image describing a vivid dream they recently had, as lately I've been having really vivid dreams, and it interests me why and what others dream about.

With this I hope to generate ideas about imagery and text, also an insight in to what is in other peoples subconscious.

THE GIRLS - ANDREA BLOOD AND ZOE SINCLAIR

Last tuesday we got given our new brief, Negotiated Studies, I came away full of excitement and ideas of how to take this. Our brief is to create clothing, accessories, photoshoots, etc. to be worn or exhibited at The Girls duos show in Selfridges, London in the month of april. Zoe gave us an overload of imagery and influences they had generated for there 'Paper Eaters' concept, a mix of grungy and disheveled imagery, next to the eighties influences from clothing, tv shows and music. Although not an entirely massive fan of the whole eighties theme, I still feel there's enough freedom to do something amazing and that expresses my own personal design aesthetic, whilst keeping in to account the briefing from The Girls.

I see this as an amazing opportunity, which will allow people outside of uni to see my work and give me the possibility of publicity and making contacts in the creative industries. I am excited and hope to push myself to my full potential to create something professional and outstanding.

http://www.thegirls.co.uk/section51666.html