Little old Me, In the Big World of Fashion

On reflection

2013-03-17T11:24:00.002-07:00

Ten months since my last day in the uni studios has flown by at crazy speed! Since then it has been an emotional whirl wind of, interning, career evaluations, job applications and hard graft, plus the realisation that moving back to the Baron house hold was my only option to stay on track.

The other realisation is that finding your "perfect job" is not as easy as we had all imagined. No matter what preconceptions we had as students about landing a fun creative job and pulling in the cash whilst living on more than just beans on toast - is just not reality....... Yet! Truth is if you want to something bad enough the fight must continue even after our snazzy photos with our scrolls and gowns on graduation day. So after a period of compromise, acclimatizing myself to early mornings, a long commute and a 9-5.30 job, I though it was about time to reflect and boost myself for the next hurdle...

Uni finished on a good note!! Me and the UEL fashion crew got ourselves into Graduate Fashion Week! Here are some of the best bits...

Graduate Fashion show - The Style Column

Makeup

UEL stand

Photoshoot for our UEL look book - Model Cat Lister

Photoshoot with Hasselblad - Model Sophie Anderson

Watch this space...

2013-03-17T11:24:00.001-07:00

Watch this space.... ;)

Martin Dawber got in touch with me last year from reading this blog and after a chat I am pleased to tell you that my work will be published in this book from August 6th 2013!.. Get ordering people!

Fabric!

2012-05-18T09:36:00.004-07:00

I have hunted high and low and I have finally found this gorgeous pink fabric to use on my puffa jacket! What do you think? I have decided to make a black version of this jacket too for myself! I have grown quite attached so thought as I am in the mood for making jackets ill add one more to my list :)

Toiling!

2012-05-18T09:32:00.000-07:00

I have selected the Pink short Puffa jacket to make from my designs.. I have taken the main shape of the original green long puffa coat and adapted it for a more relaxed ready to wear look... Here is what I have come up with.

I have kept the fancy stitch lines along the seams to show that this piece still fits in with the rest of the collection. The fun difference between this jacket and my last one is that I have found this amazing 3M piping! I am using it in every seam so you will really notice where the seams are once light is flashed onto it. I am now thinking what would look hot on the catwalk... hopefully I will pull this off.

Back in the Studio

2012-05-18T09:25:00.001-07:00

After all the excitement of being selected for Graduate Fashion Week its time to go back in the studio and start creating the next pieces to finish off our collections..Here are some of my further ideas. I think I am going to go with a combination of a few designs to create my last outfit :-)

I GOT INTO GRADUATE FASHION WEEK!!

2012-05-05T03:07:00.002-07:00

So it seems that all my hard work and tears over the past 4 years at UEL have been worth it!
I received this email and since then I have not been able to take the smile off my face.

Big thank you to all the tutors who have helped support me with my work. Big thank you to all my good friends and family who have inspired me and picked me up when I thought I couldn't make it! I literally could not have done it without you guys! xxxxx

So now its back in the studio for another 5 weeks to make 2 more outfits for the show!!!

We would love you all to come and show your support on this very special day! Keep this date free!!! Sunday 10th June 2012!

GRADUATE FASHION WEEK!!! See the link for details and come see some amazing new talent!

Laser cutting

2012-04-26T14:22:00.001-07:00

Now I have experimented with my laser cut neoprene shapes I have now started to sew them to sun visors and sweat bands to add accessories to my collection

Styling Ideas

2012-04-26T14:17:00.000-07:00

Marc Jacob wedged sneakers

Music Ideas

Development - Cut away Jumper & Maxi Skirt

2012-04-26T14:11:00.001-07:00

Development - Jogger Suit

2012-04-26T14:01:00.000-07:00

Development - Puffa Jacket

2012-04-26T13:54:00.001-07:00

Development - Harness Dress

2012-04-25T15:56:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my sketchbook development pages to show the evolution of my work in progress.

Final Line up

2012-04-25T15:40:00.002-07:00

Range Plan

Final Colour Board

2012-04-25T15:39:00.000-07:00

Design ideas

2012-04-25T15:38:00.001-07:00

Print ideas

2012-04-25T15:33:00.000-07:00

Final Print Idea

Laser cutting

2012-04-25T15:21:00.003-07:00

I have introduced laser cutting into my collection as I feel it compliments the look I am trying to achieve. Frogs have been my main point of inspiration so I started to experiment with cutting different shapes. I soon came to my favoured shape made from brightly coloured neoprene.

Here is my final laser cut shape

Laser cut neoprene shapes hand sewn onto collars

Starting to toile

2012-04-25T15:14:00.000-07:00

Toiling - using a casting technique by covering the stand in selotape to mould the figure. Once the stand is covered then the style lines can be drawn on. This pattern cutting technique gives a true bodycon pattern and is now one of my favourite ways of pattern cutting!

Inspiration & Research pages

2012-04-25T14:49:00.001-07:00

Mood Board

First things first

2012-04-25T14:37:00.000-07:00

When it comes to design I need everything out in front of me.. Although my landlord says "no pictures on walls" I think he was oblivious to the fact that 2 of his tenants are fashion students. So my bedroom walls have been turned into mammoth mood boards to keep me on my toes... Here is what I face daily...

Visual process of my final collection - Persistence

2012-04-25T14:27:00.001-07:00

New Project!!

2011-11-05T03:26:00.000-07:00

Literally been waaaaaay too long since my last post. In fact I almost completely forgot about this little gem I HAD been taking care of.
The reason for my absence is due to working on placement for 6 months at WeAreHQ.com. Then trying to work my bum off over summer to gain some ££ to play!

Anyway - Back to what's good and NEW!

Currently I am half way through my first semester of my FINAL year at uni. #scary I have already submitted one sketchbook project which I received a 1st for - well chuffed! So now it's onto the next project.

In this new project we have to develop a research/ design sketch book on anything we find inspiring... For me this was tropical frogs and extreme sportswear! Possibly quite an odd combination but in my little mind it works quite nicely! Think bold bright colours, sports elements, ergonomics, and a touch of feminine luxe! :-)

After establishing a collection of garments its onto the making stage. I am currently at the stage of toiling my first outfit and I would be lying if I said it was easy!

From now on I will be keeping a written and visual diary of my progression, plus ups and downs of my final hard core year!

Enjoy....

The Final Garments!

2010-12-18T07:04:00.000-08:00

Range Plan to be stocked in HQ store

2010-12-18T06:52:00.000-08:00

Progress!

2010-12-17T07:25:00.000-08:00

Through the meters of thread and hours of sewing I have been neglecting my blog! So here is a catch up on what I have been doing over the past few weeks! :-)

Here are some of my initial print ideas

This is my final print which has been used for my quilted lining for the coat and for the trousers.

Here is my final designs of a coat and baggy trousers.
My inspiration was the youth and street fashion down in Deptford mixed with a funky and bold twist.

Colour Board

Mood Board