Thursday 30 September 2010

My space :)





















Love my space :) Showing my current project research on distressing fabrics- making them look old, fragility, fashion using lots of embellishment, the passing of time and reuse of old textiles in fashion and craft.

Make do and mend

this was a reallly useful blog a found at
www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/laura-bailey/100302-make-do-and-mend.-.aspx

'I collect spare buttons in clear jam jars and, rather than stash them in a dark cleaning cupboard never to be seen again, keep them on a bookshelf or bedside table next to another, stuffed with assorted pins and needles ready to attack a box packed with remnants of treasured old dresses and other precious scraps. Ribbons and lace are recycled as hair bows or sashes, be they for me or my little girl, or the dressing-up box. Call me old-fashioned but I find it strangely comforting to do a few DIY repairs in bed in front of Newsnight. Granny chic, I know. Luckily, I’m not a perfectionist. A new red button pierces the cuff of an old favourite navy polkadot blouse, patches are mismatched, stitches very much showing. I like it that way. I don’t mind rough edges. Any jobs requiring a semblance of actual skill are left to my trusty neighbourhood dry cleaners, who have rescued many a dress on death’s door. Similarly, my favourite ancient shoes are given a ninth life by Mario, my local legendary cobbler and what seemed like an insane Prada spurge ten years ago justifies itself via annual MOTs for a fiver, thus guaranteeing many miles of life more, be they tripping down a red carpet or on my bike to work…' By Laura Bailey

Im interested in imperfections, expecially when looking for old textiles to use, frayed edges and missing buttons give more character to a piece of fabric of hand-kerchief, I like the thought of the story behind the pieces, why is it so worn in one area or torn?

Gary Harvey!

http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/2007-02/070207-the-fashionable-times.aspx


I love the thought of using old textiles and transforming them into something else.
A recycled frock made from newspaper will headline the eco-friendly Estetica show at London Fashion Week. British designer Gary Harvey has created a magnificent ballgown - by taking 30 copies of the Financial Times and attaching a voluminous paper skirt to a salmon pink corset. The dress will be shown alongside the rest of his vintage-inspired collection, which includes innovative dresses made from old Levi 501s, Hawaiian shirts, army jackets, nylon baseball jackets and checked laundry bags. Made originally for a shoot in ID magazine's current "Eco" issue, the designs form a significant part of Estetica - a show that aims to bring attention to the importance of Fair Trade, organic production and recycling.

2009 oxfam fashion challenge

http://www.vogue.co.uk/news/daily/090720-oxfams-fashion-challenge.aspxMrs Jones and Oxfam invite you to turn designer

HAVING already lent her fashion wisdom to the re-launch of Oxfam's Camden store, salvage stylist Mrs Jones is back on the sartorial campaign trail, this time inviting you to get creative and customise a garment from old clothing or recycled materials.
To be judged by Mrs Jones herself - who has styled acts including The Killers, Kylie Minogue, Scissor Sisters and Goldfrapp - the winning designer will go on to have a one-of-a-kind item created for them especially by Mrs Jones. Meanwhile, the top five shortlisted designs will be featured on the Oxfam DIY website.
"Seeing as I've always shopped in Oxfam, creating Oxfam DIY was the perfect opportunity to give something back. It's a rare feeling in fashion to be doing something ethical, sustainable and worthwhile," explains Mrs Jones, otherwise known as Fee Doran. "We've taken a look at people's attitudes to fashion and consumption and are giving them the materials, ideas and confidence to create their own looks via Oxfam DIY."
Oxfam's head of retail, Sarah Farquhar adds: "Our range of second-hand clothing offers a wealth of possibilities for creative minds, and this competition will give aspiring designers the chance to have their work seen by one of the best stylists working today."

Tuesday 28 September 2010

MISSONI S/S11

http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/8569/1/missoni-ss11

Geometric knits with colourful zigzag patterns were topped off with oversized floppy hats and platforms for a playful collection.
Angela Missoni’s collection bursted with geometrical patterns that the Italian knitwear label is renowned for. Combining ethnic and street inspiration, delicate knits came embellished with colourful appliques, beaded fringes and of course, Missoni’s classic zigzag patterns. Shades of neon orange, blue and green dominated the collection, with square-shaped floppy hats and platforms adding a playful touch to the otherwise relaxed silhouette. The graphic look was enhanced even more by rectangular necklines and the use of black chiffon, which – when worn underneath an A-line dress – added up to the illusion of light and shadow.

 

Roberto Cavalli

Interview with Roberto Cavalli at www.dazeddigital.com/fashionweek/womenswear/ss11/article/8596/1/roberto-cavalli-ss11

This year marks Roberto Cavalli’s 40 years in the industry. To coincide with that anniversary, Cavalli presented a well-coherent evening collection, which employed some of the signature elements of his aesthetic. There was plenty of soft leather paired with chiffons, animal prints and intricate beading. A great craftsmanship – the result of Cavalli’s ongoing collaboration with artisanal workshops in Florence – manifested itself in the cascading fringes that adorned the necklines, shoulders and bottom hems of his snakeskin-print dresses. But there was also a rock chick element to the collection. The crocodile jacket featured unfinished hems, and the skintight trousers had lace-up panels down both sides. Muted shades of grey, pink and beige added a contemporary touch to Cavalli’s theme: the tropical paradise.

Dazed Digital: What’s new for Roberto Cavalli this season?
Roberto Cavalli: All my collections are very different from each other. The only thing that stays the same is Cavalli’s love for women. While designing for spring/summer, I also wanted to rebel against the current popularity of minimalism. I think minimalism is there to destroy the femininity in women, and I’ve always been the one to go against the grain.DD: What inspired the tropical garden that you built on the runway?
Roberto Cavalli: The whole collection was inspired by nature, so the garden is a fantasy. It represents paradise.
DD: How would you describe the woman you design for?

Roberto Cavalli: She’s strong. Strong, because I am strong and my life is very strong.DD: This year also marks your 40th anniversary. How are you celebrating?
Roberto Cavalli: Well, right now, I feel a bit like a baby that needs to hold someone’s hand! I just want to smile at everyone. But I also feel like I need to rest, because I worked until 4AM last night.

     

First Blog

As part of my final year on a textile crafts course I have decided to keep a blog as part of my visual research and monograph preparation.

I am interested in using reclaimed fabrics and garments to reconstruct. I like taking old worn textiles and transforming them into something beautiful, yet keeping the original charm of the textile- wrinkles, worn patches, loose threads.
Throughout my last year I will be searching for textile designers that embroider and manipulate fabrics for a fashion collections and also looking for techniques in distressing fabrics and making them look old and worn.
Il also keeping an eye out for fashion designers that are inspired by nature and organic forms, keeping colours, pattern and materials natural. And i'Il also be looking for the opposite- designers that use brash, bold and kitch colours and designs and use materials that have been man-made.