Glamorous Ambitions

2011-04-26T08:24:00.000-07:00

Designer Inspiration and more designs

2011-03-24T10:59:00.000-07:00

The designers who have shown collections with references to 70's Harlem:

Gucci-very opulent, rich colours
Trussadi 1911- A minimalist take on the trend, minimal colour palette and simple shapes but still a touch of the opulence
YSL Pre-fall- Referenced 1977 YSL Opium collection, very clean lines and simple, structured shapes but with hints of exoticism and luxury
The Row-Although not an obvious reference, the exaggerated shapes, fur, animal print and tailoring are all given an interesting twist in the Olsen twins collection.
Malandrino-The hats, furs and sexy draped dresses echo 70's shapes and aesthetics but with an edgy, urban touch.

Following those are my designs which are inspired by the designers' take on 70's Harlem.

Initial Designs

2011-03-24T10:48:00.000-07:00

My initial design ideas with inspiration drawn from the pictures below. I wanted the look to be about luxury, glamour, sexiness and over-the-top attention grabbing clothes. However, since these are my initial ideas I know the references to the 70s are too literal.

Today

2011-03-24T03:19:00.000-07:00

Charity shop top, River Island shorts and belt, Chockers knock off Doc Martin boots

Feeling thoroughly dejected about lack of new clothes in MONTHS. So I decided to re-discover the ones I'd forgotten about to they almost, almost, feel like new clothes.

Harlem Chic

2011-03-22T14:57:00.000-07:00

My latest project has been set by the high street store, Warehouse. I am designing for their Autumn/Winter 2011 collection, Harlem Chic. I love how glamorous and sexy everything seemed then despite the poverty and oppression, everyone really went for it. Its great to have such flamboyant inspiration. Especially loving the collars!

Got Paint?

2010-08-05T08:12:00.000-07:00

So that is as far as I got with my Maison Margiela Project. I adjusted, sewed and bleached the shorts. Just had to dye them. And began adjusting the jacket. But this post is to announce a break from blogging for a few weeks, since I want to spend the rest of my summer enjoying my time with my friends and having fun, so won't be doing much fashion work. I'm also starting a new University soon, University for the Creative Arts, Rochester, which I'm really looking forward to and also have a lot of preparing to do for that.

So have a great last month of summer everyone, make the most of it!

Autumn/Winter Wishlist

2010-08-01T14:48:00.000-07:00

So although August has only just begun, it never truly feels like summer in Wales, and yet I'm feeling strange urges to watch TV in front of the fire, and wear coats and scarves and hats...

Layering via Marks and Spencers thermals, Free people slips, American Apparel Romper and thrifted coat à la Rumi Neely

P.S. I will get back to my Maison Margiela creations soon I promise!

Flamenco Virgins River Walking

2010-08-01T14:30:00.000-07:00

I recently returned from Spain, and was so inspired by a country brimming with life. Every day, I found a new and exciting aspect to Spain's nature and culture. From

Dancer's matching outfits celebrating the Day of the Saint of Fishermen

And their practical yet so cute espadrilles

Metrosexual flamenco men

Cacti as an alternative to floral

How half a bush of flowers can be dead and the other half alive

Immense caves and the patterns the grooves in the rock create

And humbling landscapes

I'm gonna match-stick my eyes open

2010-06-20T13:06:00.000-07:00

So I can feel myself losing interest in Maison Martin Margiela, especially since I've been so busy recently I haven't really done anything. So I'm going to keep myself inspired by discovering new things to do with the MMM brand.

Today, its his 'Artisanal Collection.' It's Haute Couture, all the pieces are hand sewn and hand-created. They are 'remodelled' garments, random objects which are completely transformed and 'reshuffled' into breath-taking garments. I'm amazed by his awareness of the body when creating these; it's all about where certain things lie on the body. And the pure innovation of his ideas is astounding.

My favourite are a cross between the disco ball top and the football trainers top; they look like stunning garments in their own right but you can still see what they originated from. Also included are a hair comb dress, latex hair mask bolero and a record dress.

Picture credits: Sicker than average, Rock and Fiocc, Today and Tomorrow

2010-06-18T13:29:00.001-07:00

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WHITE OUT--MAISON MARTIN MARGIELA

2010-06-15T15:44:00.001-07:00

So I am embarrassed to admit, I was not very well informed on MMM, and something was missing from my life, namely an intellectual fashion designer. Who made statements, and concepts, not just amazing clothes. Then I was lucky enough to be able to visit the Maison Martin Margiela '20' exhibition, which is being put on in honour of the designer who, after 20 years of working for the company, is stepping down.

So, to overview the brand, it is based around the concept of anonymity. When the label began, in the late 80s, there was a trend for the fashion designers themselves becoming 'celebrities' in their own right. Martin Margiela didn't want the focus on him, just on his clothes, so decided to remain completely anonymous, never giving interviews, having his photograph taken or appearing in the press at all.

"The only thing we wish to push to the fore-front is our fashion"

So he extended this concept of anonymity to his designs. Although there are many aspects to his collections I could explore, the one I found most fascinating was how he liked everything to be white. Imagine snow as a metaphor for this. When a landscape is covered in a blanket of white snow, no one knows what is underneath; it could be a concrete road or lush grass. So he decided to cover everything in white to conceal its true identity, making it a neutral canvas. He painted all his stores white, he covered chairs in white fabric, and he painted his clothes.

When the garment is actually worn, the paint will slowly start to crack, ultimately making the colour and texture of the original item visible once again. *

Then, as it is worn, each garment changes uniquely to suit its wearer.

I love this idea! I've been so inspired by this exhibition and have decided to create some garment with Maison Martin in mind. I love the idea of all these things having happened underneath the layer of white but no one knows until the white starts to chip away, and more is revealed.

So I have decided to turn some reconstituted denim garments (I'm thinking denim shorts, jacket, and maybe a third one) into some homages to MMM. I am planning on performing numerous processes to the garments, then painting over the top, and the processes will be revealed as it is worn.

Processes I am planning at the moment:

Reshaping (such as making shorts shorter)
Stitching (to add texture and detail)
Bleaching
Dyeing
Painting

This paragraph taken from leaflet which accompanied exhibition, curated by Claire Catterall

Why, little famous old me??

2010-06-13T14:56:00.000-07:00

There's also an article about me on the University website, which I am crazy excited about!!!

It's about my garments; a press release for the end of year show and I was one of two students on Art Foundation who had an entire article written about them!

And this is the link to it directly on the website, but not sure how long they will keep it up for

Hey, there's a futuristic amazon wearing my garments!

2010-06-13T13:32:00.000-07:00

So these are the products of my many, many, many hours spent on this project (not including the blood, sweat and tears.) Sorry I didn't write about the process but I was far too stressed and busy. I'm definitely going to start writing on this blog reguarly from now on!

Human Gardens and Adjustable Plastic Surgery

2010-04-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

No, we’re not in blodge (biology) lesson; I’m talking about Lucy and Bart.

This zany partnership can’t decide whether they are fashion designers, architects, performers or scientists but they know how to transform a body. As perfectionists, they don’t think we’re good enough as we are so they’re all about human enhancement.

They’ll use anything from shards of wood, bath foam and balloons to distort human bodies.

They aren’t shrinking violets; a girl who unwittingly participated in one of their performances in Holland got some FREE plastic surgery, by having hooks and eyes glued to her face to adjust her features.

One of their photos reminded me of muscles, which drew me in. I like the way how balloons and tights is such a simple yet effective way of making fake muscles. Topped with realistic looking veins to really complete the outfit.

The Story so far...

2010-04-12T09:26:00.000-07:00

So, to fill you in on my fabby fashion career so far, I’m finishing my Art Foundation Year in June to go off to Fashion College (Rochester). My interviews are all but finished with the saved-the-best-for-last spot going to UWE.

It’s nearly time to step outside the rainy comfort of Wales into the big wide world.

But first, I have to execute an amazing and poised end of year project and exhibition.

I chose to do ‘Muscles’ as my topic (yet to think of a witty and mind-blowing title), and am making GREAT headway, but I’m stuck in a proverbial rut at the moment and need some inspiration. Frankly, I’m actually looking forward to go back to school for some much needed catch-up on uni life (clubbing) and some productivity (in that order).