TOTE

I have moved

2007-01-12T16:09:00.000+09:00

I have moved my to here. I have changed my personal blog to reflect where I am in life. See you there.

Design Festa

2006-12-03T18:36:00.000+09:00

The Design Festa was on Saturday and yet again it was a lot of fun! December's Design Festa is always a little smaller that the one in May but still just as good. This time around I changed the set up of my booth. I used a table and put plastic bags inside my bags so the would stand up, rather than hang from a hook (which is what I did in May this year). The booth looked a lot better than it did in May.

There were many people interested in my bags but no buyers as expected. I learned from May's Design Festa that the people that go there are just looking, spending money on small things like postcards.

Fashion and design is amazing. I really love it. During the past 12 months I have really learned a lot about fashion and the importance of not giving up, staying positive and keeping fresh. Another thing about fashion is that designers often have breaks to reflect on their past work and come back even stronger. And that is what I have decieded to do.

I am going to take a break from TOTE and develop my skills. I want to work on fashion drawing, using photoshop and extending what I can make. So rather than making things to sell I will be making things for myself. I will continue to blog but not here as TOTE. I am not sure how often I will post either, but I will leave a link up here when it happens. However if anyone is intersted in buying what I make then they can.

So, so long for now.

On break

2006-11-24T09:05:00.000+09:00

Yeah it has been a while since I have last posted. I have been busy studying for my Japanese test which is the day after the Design Festa so that's why I have not posted anything. Here is another t-shirt that I finished yesterday.

Biker Chic

2006-11-03T15:15:00.000+09:00

Casual Shirt

2006-10-29T17:00:00.000+09:00

I like buying recycled clothes and turning them into something new. Yesterday I picked up this shirt from a store, took it home, added a big splash of creativity and came out with this. At firsty I wasn't too happy with it. Today I put it on again and changed my mind. I was very happy with the results.

Scarf

2006-10-28T22:28:00.000+09:00

Scarf: Soon to be on etsy

Jump

2006-10-28T16:16:00.000+09:00

I just finished watching Madonna's JUMP video clip filmed in Tokyo. Usually her outfits are fantastic however this time she has chosen to use clothes that can be bought in Harajuku. The clothes still look cool, but I think she needed some Harajuku style make up to match the outfit.

Obi Belt

2006-10-22T18:32:00.000+09:00

Mel. Your obi belt is ready!

Title change

2006-10-21T11:04:00.000+09:00

Shades of Grey, Blacks and Browns

2006-10-21T10:21:00.000+09:00

I have a bone to pick with Australian designers who design for men....and a tip. Maybe this will get me into trouble, or come back to haunt me in the future.

It all began when I was reading an Australian blog and clicked on the link which took me to an Australian label that I was unfamilar with. Curious to see what they had, I clicked through to see what their latest collections had to offer. Sadly I was disapointed to see the same old dark colours being used and those damn striped shirts! I am so over those! There was nothing that made me say 'yes, I want to buy something from this collection' rather it was 'yes, I've had enough already!'

Come on people, do something new and add some colour! I realise the collection reflects consumer demand and taste. And it is men's fashion, so it can't be made to look to 'gay' because no-one is going to buy it. But it can be done. As I have said before, try and get a high profile sportsman to wear your innovative gear. Men need to be taught that it is okay to wear certain clothes and colours and to have a different look.

Okay, that's enough from me!

The secret is out

2006-10-18T22:27:00.000+09:00

Okay so I was going to keep my organic bags a secret but here is my first one. I know the photo is not the best but you'll get an idea of how it looks. The fabric is 100% organic and did not come cheap, I am selling these bags for only $99 each.

The stencil is of a Boab tree which can be found in Australia and parts of Africia. For the lining I used an organic canvas with a lime print. Not only is the fabric organic but the dye for these fabrics are low impact. (Yay for the enviroment!!!)

They are currently NOT for sale on Etsy. But if you are interested in buying one, then contact me on the email on my blog.

UPDATE: Now for sale on Etsy. Click on the bag for the link

Moving Art

2006-10-18T22:16:00.000+09:00

I am going to create a range of organic t-shirts for the Design Festa and Etsy under the name of 'Moving Art'. These t-shirts have been hand painted by myself and represent feelings. The t-shirts will also include a stencil of either the feelings name or something else. I have not quite decided on that one yet.

I have already made two. (one for myself, the other for sale on Etsy)

Here is the first one printed on a recycled t-shirt (size small) . This one is called LOVE

CLICK on the photo for the link to my store.

Lazy

2006-10-18T22:04:00.000+09:00

It's been a while since I've made an entry. In blog time it must be years!!! So what have I been doing...? Not much...kinda....

I have been wanting to take some decent photos of the 2 shirts I have 'printed' on, and have a friend model my bags, but I'm yet to ask. I'm still trying to contact companies for some things I want to start too.

In addition to that my computer broke down, got kind of repaired by my partner, but still needs to go back to the computer company for some reason. So that means my net time will be limited for the next two weeks because I will be sharing my partners computer.

Work has also calmed down too! So maybe I'll have some time to make some entries or maybe I'll just continue to be lazy!

Creativity

2006-10-06T23:00:00.000+09:00

I haven't been making so many blog entries recently because I have been busy with work and been feeling kinda up and down about where this whole TOTE thing is going.

This industry is tough (no news there) and even if you get a big break it doesn't mean you've made it, it just means you've skipped a few stepping stones and it's up to you to stay fresh.

Okay. I love sewing and making things, don't get me wrong. This week my friend Shell has offfered to give me sewing lessons which I am totally wrapped about. I have even been to the shops to begin my 'homework' too!

I was feeling that my creative juices had stopped. In addition to that I have been trying to email some manufactures about a few things (to remain a secret) and have so far had no replies. I guess I am going to have to make a few phone calls to the U.S.A instead.

So I went to the Design Festa website to see if my work has been posted. Upon seeing my own work I was re-motivated to get things moving again and immediately began making a piece of moving art on a t-shirt. I was very happy with the outcome and I am considering applying the design to a bag with a bit of twist.

It's too late to take a photo of the shirt and post it here now, so I'll do it another day.

DOORS - Utsunomiya Fashion Circle

2006-09-30T11:29:00.000+09:00

The Utsunomiya Fashion Circle had their "DOORS" fashion event on September 24. I must admit I didn't know too much about this 'fashion circle' till I googled it and translated the website (Thank you google!)

'DOORS' is a an amateur fashion group who get together, design, sew then show their pieces once a year. 'DOORS' is just the name of the group. The group shows their work as individual labels during their fashion show.

The designers work ranges in quality and design. A few of the designers could easily sell their designs. Others needed more time to develop their concepts.
There wasn't so much of a crowd this year. I was suprised. I mean everyone loves a fashion parade don't they?

Regardless, I had a great time taking photos and was happy that I was not the only foreigner there! Last year there was only one (me) This year there were 5. Three in the audience and 2 models.

Here are some of the photos from that night. I will also post some videos up on You tube when I get access to high speed internet!

Fabric Arrival

2006-09-28T21:57:00.001+09:00

My organic fabric arrived last week and I am really happy with it. The smell of the fabric is different from conventional fabrics and the feel is different too. It actually feels quite soft for a cotton canvas. I have already finished making one sample and I am happy with the result. However I am yet to get a verbal critiqued from my friends.

Nao's Fashion Tip

2006-09-26T22:37:00.000+09:00

If you are going to wear dark clothes, say a pair of chocolate jeans then always compliment it with something bright. Shoes or a shoulder bag are a good example. Two pieces are better though. As you can see I'm wearing a purple T and yellow street shoes and it's rockin.

Do you have a fashion tip that you'd like to share? Then send me an email with your tip and a photo if you like and I'll post it for you.

Saitama outdoor exhibition and the enviroment

2006-09-20T18:48:00.000+09:00

Today I went to an outdoor exhibition in Saitama. Which is about 68km away from Tokyo. The exhibition consisted of artists from Japan, Korea, and Australia.

There was one piece that I really liked, which was an over-sized roll of toilet paper made from pre loved clothes. The roll had messages like 'don't waste' in Japanese and questioned 'who can clear the earth?' . But I think the artist meant to say 'who will clean the earth?'

This question really struck me. I have often wondered about this myself, since the leaders of the world don't really seem to be caring too much about that. The reason is they'll be dead by the time we really have to make serious changes to our lifestyles and economy!

So who will clean the earth? Well, gen x and y have already begun in their own way. Some through eco-fashion and eco -design. But it will be the next generation that will have to clean the mess up! They have their work cut out for themselves eh? And it's a pretty bum deal. I mean, I don't like cleaning others peoples mess, so why should they??

So lets start cleaning up the earth now. Buy organic food when possible, buy vintage clothes and clothes made from recycled fabrics when you can too. Turn off those lights when you don't need them. Use public transport when you can. Just think of all those books you can read! And if you have the money (and own a house) get solar panels.

So enough of my rants. I'll get off my soapbox and turn off those lights!

Design Festa

2006-09-19T17:44:00.000+09:00

Last week I signed up for a booth for the Design Festa on December 2! I'm very excited about participating again. It's not about how much I sell, but what I learn from the customers and retailers. I'm taking what I learnt from the Design Festa in May 06 and applying it this time round.

I have also ordered the organic fabrics I will be using. I am expecting them in the next couple of days. At first, I was just going to order fabric that I liked (big mistake!). After remembering what was in Kathleen's book I consulted friends (who have taste) about which fabrics they liked, as well as bag design. All of them picked the same fabric, so that's what I ordered.

When the fabric arrives I will make one bag and once again show friends to find out what they think before I begin making samples for the Design Festa. I am also considering of taking the bag around to a few shops in an attempt to get some sales and feedback.

I'll let you know how it goes.

NY Fashion Week and Fur

2006-09-13T15:07:00.000+09:00

Okay so it's fashion week in NY. It's a great time to see glamour, beautiful people, great clothes and talk about it either online or with friends. I have to say I'm really enjoying the photography and videos that Julie and Phil are putting together for us. It's been great using them on my blog.

However, there is a not so glamourous sector of the fashion industry. And that readers is fur. Yes, that dirty work is back again. Everyone knows that I am not keen on fur. My issues with it is the cruetly that can be involved. Now there are some fur farmers who kill their minks humanely in the US. But sadly there are many other countries with fur farms that do not.

Jay McCarroll from season 1 of Project Runway and the Human Society have produced a film about fur trim. I found a snippet on YouTube, so I deceided to share it with everyone. I thought it would go well with NY Fashion Week.

Playing with logos part III

2006-09-11T23:20:00.000+09:00

And another but without the 'designs' part. I've been completely happy with 'designs' stuck on the end. Whenever I see it I think of Kathleen's book! These designs may need a bit more work. So if you a graphic designer and would like to help out feel free! In exchange, I will send you a bag free!

Playing with logos part II

2006-09-11T23:05:00.000+09:00

Okay here is another logo I have been playing with. It's similar to the other one except I have added a drop shadow effect and changed the positioning of the wording. Let me know what you think.

Inspiration and Dragana Ognjenovic

2006-09-11T11:14:00.000+09:00

I often wonder where designers get their inspiration from. Myself? Well, I get mine from Japan. It comes from the streets of Harajuku and the people walking about. The colours and what they wear gets my creative juices flowing. The Japanese countryside is another place for inspiration. The temples, the trees, and the seasons give me ideas. Other times, ideas just pop into my head or come from a dream I had the night before. I store all these ideas and designs I get, away in my head, ready for the future when I begin making clothes.

Recently my inspiration has come from my home country, Australia. The outback, plants, trees and flowers. The natural scenes of Australia combined with organic fabrics will be fused to make bags for the Design Festa on December 3.

Dragana Ognjenovic got her inspiration for her latest spring collection from everyday life, people, friends and the people she meets with. She also finds movies inspire her too. I can relate to how she gets her inspiration and how it could be transformed into wearable clothes. It's also great to be able to hear about where great designers get their inspiration from. When I think of great designers and see their designs, I am often left wondering, 'Where do they get their inspiration fom?' Well, Dragana Ognjenovic's interview has opened that window for me.

Outside the tents part II

2006-09-10T17:47:00.000+09:00

NY Fashion Week outside the tents part I

2006-09-10T17:44:00.000+09:00