Art and Fashion

Sorry I lost my Head

2010-11-24T15:57:00.000-08:00

Hey sorry I haven't blogged in a while and it will take me a while to fill you in, but here I go.

Right so last time I spoke to you, was when I started felting, soon after this I realised it would take along time to felt whole pieces, and it would create a collection with much creativity, I then started to look at felting fabric in between, this come out with some lovely results and I started to bring a level of fashion design to my textile which was my main struggle.

We had a toile review and it was so relieving to see my garments on the stand room for development was need but I was pleased with the stage I was at.

Heres a picture of Two outfits that I designed.

Shortly after we had a formative I had a massive loss of confidence, I completely lost my head!!

My shapes need more consideration and for a week I had been looking at different ways I can master a shape for my textiles to be applied to, look at other designers that I like looking at silhouettes I like.

I also needed to find a solution for my textiles instead of wasting time, i decided to start producing textiles with effective results.

Then I came across another process called Nuno felting :O

This picture is where I cut into a blazer I then took off some of the felt to make a layered affect on the revere, this helped my felting with other fabrics problem and it also created a layered affect that I desired from the first time I started using felt with this I will develop more, maybe experiment with more layers seeing how many I can get, this is a big step in the direction of applying textile to fashion.

Then to Understand my silhouette, I wanted a structured but fluid idea, this idea is obvious but the way in which you can convey it can be subtle, this is how i found knitting, knitting with big needles can create a structure that you can see, I decided to stretch and pull the structure against a jersey dress I made, making the piece more vulnerable, relating back to the wearing down of rocks in the process of erosion.

Then when I started designing again my confidence still struck, I didnt no how to, it was hard i wanted organic shapes but how can you draw organic shapes?

So thinking about basic shapes making them slightly bigger for the body and using textiles and applying a silhouette with an organic shape by pulling and sewing on top of it, felting with silk chiffon with give me fabric with structured and stiff qualities but also with a loose and uncontrolled feel.

This idea of applying an uncontrolled fabric is hard because there needs to be a level of control somewhere, this is where my basic silhouette shapes come in, it also feeds my concepts that erosion is a natural process and it shapes the rivers and rocks in the world.

Sorry for the lengthy Blog but needed to get you up to date

Thank you

Textile Techniques

2010-11-02T05:01:00.000-07:00

Thinking of your strengths and weakness, what is your strength and what is your weakness... this is what i was asked day one of my project.

Textiles is a strength that I have, creating new fabrics understanding what can be achieved by different fabrics.

After explaining my concept i started to think about materials which would relate and started of changing, making and sourcing fabric.

and this is what started my inspiration.

Craig Lawrence

2010-10-15T02:26:00.000-07:00

Craig Lawrence "new collection, using an unusually supple yarn called Kyototex. The slashed Gaga-approved knits from past seasons have been tightened for spring, with a slinky silhouette akin to a mermaid’s tail. In fact, all the dresses are inspired by a siren’s call—like a metallic-green gown with pleat-like ladder stitches or a white dress streaming with chopped yarn that literally billows up a storm in the wind”

http://www.vogue.com/vogue-daily/article/craig-lawrence-spins-yarn-to-a-sirens-call/

Craig Lawrence inspires me through his use of materials, creating mermaid like figures through the use of knitted fabrics. When thinking of knitted fabrics you would think of thick chunky knits, not something sleek and close to the body as it as seen in Craig Lawrence collection, this inspires me to use knit as a delicate fabric in my project instead of using as a chunky fabric. I could also look at the structure of wool and how this contributes to the rock formation.

Its made me think about weaving and also using rug canvas and wool to create a weird texture, and also trying to create a delicate fabric.

In this video is Craig Lawrence S/S 2011 collection

If you want any more information go to Craig Lawrence website http://www.craiglawrence.co.uk/pages/SS2011.html

Felicty Brown

2010-10-14T06:31:00.000-07:00

Felicity Brown a fashion designer which graduated from royal college of art, is inspirational to me because her collection has elegance wear ability and surrounds textiles, which are all things that I find inspirational.

"Wearing Felicity Brown is a sensuous, delectable, covetable experience. It makes you feel like kicking off your heels and running through a dew sodden English meadow, kicking and twirling all the way. These are the dresses girlhood dreams are made of. In a very grown up sexy way."

"Raw yet refined the collection shows the amazing attention for detail and fantastic creative talent that have marked Felicity's career to date." Vogue Italia March 2010.

"Largely inspired by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's paintings where flamboyant and provocative women are painted wearing extravagant silk ruffles and showing off shamelessly. The dresses, using precious silks are highly structured with hand dip dyed pleats and prints. The British Fashion Council were quick to recognise Felicity's talent and have awarded her the much coveted NewGen sponsorship for SS11."

I like the way she has used dip dye and silk fabrics, creating this really dream like collection, inspired by an Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's which painted women in big ruffle silhouettes also his painting were very colourful, which is where Brown has got her inspiration for colour, felicity brown has inspired me through her textile techniques, I am going to explore into dip dyeing and other processes of dyeing to get the desired effect from my inspiration.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec's art work.

http://lkthayer.wordpress.com/tag/henri-de-toulouse-lautrec/

Felicity Browns pictures and quotes and any more information you can look her up here:

http://www.youngbritishdesigners.com/designers/newgen/felicity-brown/

http://artandfashionfusion.blogspot.com

Fashion Journal

2010-10-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

Looking at the graduates last year and students that have inspired me, and now the time for me to put a print on the fashion world has come, to inspire someone, somewhere would be a great achievement for me, so the next posts are going to be about my work where it is going and how I have been inspired by different artist, designers and anything else.

The summer went quick, and I have been looking closely at rocks and water, about erosion, weathering, the shapes that are created and how the water has changed the environment we live in, how this is so calming to look at but it is so destructive.

Here are some images I took in Wales

It is here where I sat and thought about how I could translate maybe feelings, shape, texture, or destruction into my garments, that I wanted to design.

From concept to design, it is a hard process as my idea relates hardly to fashion, a designer that has always inspired me for this is Hussein Chalayan and his blurred lines between art and fashion. He designs from concept to garment is a follow through of his desirable work ethic, he never fails to amaze me.

So this is the start a little idea to spark my fashion career

http://artandfashionfusion.blogspot.com

Enchanted Palace

2010-07-17T04:38:00.000-07:00

"Kensington Palace is being transformed. As the walls of the palace are being shaken by a £12 million renovation project the rubble and the dust is unleashing powerful and secret stories about the lives of Kensington's princesses.

At the heart of the Enchanted Palace journey is a quest for the seven princesses who once lived here. Their lives have been re-imagined as installations offering a fascinating interpretation of the palace’s hidden stories. The rebellious princess who ran from an arranged marriage into the arms of love. Sad queens who bore the pain and sadness of lost babies. The young heir to the throne who escaped the controlling grasp of her overprotective mother."
http://www.hrp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace/stories/palacehighlights/EnchantedPalace.aspx

I visited the Enchanted Palace yesterday and it came with wonderful inspirations, installations, arts and fashions.

I wanted to visit the Exhibition because it had pieces by Vivienne Westwood, William Tempest, Stephen Jones, Boudicca, Aminaka Wilmont and Echo Morgan.

Boudicca pieces in this exhibition of the wierd and wonderful,Boudicca had the room that has endless time, his garments are inspired by the pieces of a grand father clock, wire spins and coils, the pieces were so inspirational to look at, they also spun round as a way to symbolize the way the clock ticks in a forever ending circle, you couldn't touch the pieces, they were to far above your head but this also seemed to symbolize the endlessness of time.

http://www.platform13.com/pages/news/news_main.html

William Tempest piece was more fantasia, his piece was made from origami birds, and it flowed across the ceiling like a flock of birds, it was so beautiful, the thought and construction, came across in its fantasia and beauty, something you need to see just to capture its beauty.
William Tempest says that it was to symbolize the freedom he was giving to the princess as the princess felt trapped inside this very room, it is also claimed this is the room where the princess slept in the same bed with her mum until the age of 18.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coZ2R2I7xyo
Vivienne Westwood, has an amazing beautiful gown, the extravagant draping that Vivienne is very well known for is what you will see, you feel as if the princess could stand there with the dress on, waiting to greet you into the palace, a piece you could only admire in its flesh, it stood on the stairs with no body inside the dress this reminded you of the princess that once lived there.

Stephon Jones head pieces, were unusual and remarkable, i took inspiration to these, as i started to make fascinators the other week, some of his pieces were made from unusual materials and some of his pieces were extravagant, fantastical and were amazing in structure. The light shone on these pieces and cast a shadow on the wall and the shadow really reflected the fantasia of the head piece.

Aminaka Wilmont piece was about the sadness hope and serenity of princess Mary, the room was named the room of tears, the fabric was printed, the image was of rain, smoke and small detail of a baby, Aminaka Wilmont says that in this room princess Mary is claimed to have 14 miss carriages this fed their inspiration to create this sadness and hope through the garment.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYljU-6VkVI&feature=channel

Echo Morgan's room was all about the world about collecting pieces of art, pictures and more, the room was all about the curiosity, there was loads to look it was really overwhelming but it made you feel as you were voyaging on the princess's life, and this reflected the meaning of the enchanted palace.

Wild Works are the people who really made the fantastical fairy story of the palace come true.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8M_2_LBhp4&NR=1

Watch this video to find out what thoughts they had when creating the enchanted palace.

Art and Fashion Fusion.

Caught in a Tale

2010-07-09T12:19:00.000-07:00

I was touring around the internet, discovering exhibition I will be visiting which had the most outstanding creative work ive ever seen

I am looking for inspiration through my summer for my final project in fashion, so i have been looking at previous graduates and what they have been doing to make there line up or garments stand out.

Trisha Sakhlecha

Looking through the graduates, Trisha's work really stood out it was something that i have a deep interest in, but its not just Trisha's Theme that is inspiring its the way Trisha has made her garments and the fabrics they are made from.

Trisha Describes her collection:

"Escapism and utopian desires are certainly a much needed indulgence today!

My Spring Summer 2011 collection “Caught in a Tale” begins with the story of a girl who once loved fairy tales, and who wants to believe again... in fairies, enchantments and magic.

Inspired by the Victorian illustrator Arthur Rackham, Caught in a Tale uses fine goat suede, lightweight silk and sheers with techniques such as marbling, laser cutting and engraving. Silhouettes play with scale as Victorian frills and baby’s clothes are blown out of proportion, cut up, and collaged to build a range with childishly naive, asymmetric shapes, quirky prints and laser cut suede laces. Shoulders droop, frills start to look schizophrenic and dresses and skirts get twisted to the point of subversion.

The fact that a skirt sits diagonally on the waist adds to the strange, wonky undertone. Add transparent glass nylon so shiny it looks like plastic and gigantic platform shoes and this season’s somewhat absurd, somewhat fabulous character is born."

I like the way Trisha used a story line for inspiration, the way the story developed through her research and work, and ended up with a beautiful line up

Trisha's work can be seen at the London College of Fashion Graduate show

You should also look at her "Caught in a Tale" Books they are influential and inspiring, you see this story develop through Trisha's work and it takes on such a weird and wonderful story with a beautiful out come

To look at her "Caught in a Tale" books and The Pictures above Visit:

http://showtime.arts.ac.uk/showtime/TrishaSakhlecha

Trisha also has a blogg

http://caught-in-a-tale.blogspot.com/

I wish Trisha all the best with her career!

She has started it of with a bang

Well done!

Fine Art

2010-06-11T08:39:00.000-07:00

Hello, Every one

I'am Zoe and I study Fine Art with my Final year to go.

The art and fashion fusion. Is all about the mix of the art culture and making people aware of up and coming exhibition and feedback and inspiration for my own work.

My sister Emma is supporting the fashion side of this blog and I will be supporting the Fine Art side of the blog.

As twins, we are very close and see how each others degrees work and how the end exhibitions are held, we felt that by bringing the views together we could open up a world where all types of art mediums can be placed in the same space and be appreciated by all creative minds. I hope this will be able to bring photographers graphic designers artists and fashion and more, together to achieve one large goal.

Problem

The Fashion degree must raise enough money for the fashion show.

Art exhibition, Fine art must raise enough money for a show.

Solution

If both Fine Art and Fashion came together, sharing out the cost. A better show ?

This is why we began this blog to get the word out!! Help each other and achieve a bigger goal !

Up and Coming Exhibition

I am proud to announce that for the first time the University of Hertfordshire 2nd years ( undergraduates) are showing in the Free Range in the Truman Brewery.

Free Range Truman Brewery: Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL 020 7770 6000

When: Private View: 1st July, Other Viewing: 2nd July - 5th July

Website: http://www.free-range.org.uk/cgi-bin/index.pl?yearID=15

On this link you can see all of our art portfolios of all the artists involved.

This is a group of 21 2nd year students that got together and made it happen.

There are many thanks to be given to Chantelle Hutchings, who first pitched the idea.

Other thanks go to the curating team including; Maggie Williams, Chantelle Hutchings, Diane Frasca, Chris Maxwell and me.

My work

This is a photograph of a projection from a film projector on to objects that are picked at random. Most of my art work is displayed as an installation and I have recently begun to do video work.

All things Vintage

2010-05-23T14:02:00.000-07:00

So with the vintage fair on Sunday, i thought i would prepare with some vintage shops round London, i started in Camden Town walking around the Stables, went to a few in oxford street, and also i visited a vintage store in St Albans.

Vintage shopping is great fun, uncovering hidden gems, and the bags, and the quality of material and make are always spectacular.

Racks and Racks of dresses, jeans, and woolly Christmas jumpers , the interesting colours and shapes from some of the best decades, me personally i love grabbing the sense of the 1950's fashion, the nostalgia and cupcakes, it seems to have a order and respect about the clothes.

The Bags and Those Shoes!

i just cant get enough of the bags! even when it comes to suitcases with buckles! i even bought a brief case off of Ebay the other day! and the shoes!

I went to the vintage market with an open mind, i didn't no what i wanted but i wanted something, i came across the 1940/1950's underwear and thinking of the new trend with underwear is outwear, heres a picture of what i bought, there was also a silk, T shirt like type bra but i it was sold by the time i got back to the stall.

I cant wait i'm using it for my photo shoot hopefully

The hall was extravagant, golden chandeliers hang from the ceiling, massive painting and murals hang on the walls and tall windows, it was beautiful and really good setting of the vintage fairs style.

Theres a frock me vintage fair at least Once every month, check the exhibition page for more detail, i would recommend taking a look if your a massive vintage fan!

I'll give you some more photos from Camden, when my friend uploads them :) x

Jennifer Onah

2010-05-14T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hey so i came across something today which made me smile!

Jennifer Onah, a young designer taking chances and make herself a name, Jennifer studies fashion at Hertfordshire University and Jennifer is in my year, it made me so proud when i saw her webpage of all her designs.

Jennifer is so hard working and all of her pieces have stunned me! everything she does is down to the tee, perfection.

I talked to Jennifer about her collection, her upcoming shows, and what she would want to achieve in the future:

So tell me about your collection and your up coming shows.

-PRESS RELEASE for manchester show!

'Up and coming young designers Ruwayda Dool and Jennifer Onah combine creative forces to launch R.Dool v's JONAWEAR, culminating in the collaborative production of the fashion forward collection that is: 'Evolution SHE'- Origionally based on ideas of a modern day Marie Antoinette, the collection is representational of the female form, body manipulation and abstract through successfully merging contemporary and innovative styles with elegance and sophistication for their evening wear range.

The pair describe their vision as the material image of a world where only women are of existance and the female form becomes competative obsession.

We introduce to you...'EVOLUTION SHE'.'

Future collections - 'Evolution HE'
-Afrocentric Afromania (African collection)
-Spring summer 11 womens casual wear (Fashion forward graphic prints)
-SS 11 Mens casual wear range"

(images of all these collections will be available in July)

What do you hope to achieve in the future?

"Continue to try and get my name out there by doing more shows.
I hope that my work will one day be recognised by well established companies and designers.
I would love for magazines, models, musicians etc to one day request a garment for a shoot, a performance or even to buy!

I will continue to dedicate myself alongside studying my degree."

If you love Jennifer Onah's work then you should visit some of her upcoming events

22ND MAY 2010: THE AFRICAN AND CARRIBEAN BRIDAL SHOW @ OLD TRAFFORD MANCHESTER: THE LANCASHIRE CRICKET CLUB

13TH JUNE 2010: THE SHOWCASE SPECTACULAR @ PLAN B BRIXTON

23RD JULY 2010: LEEDS FASHION SHOW-DRESS ME BEAUTIFUL 2010 @ THE WHITE ROSE SHOPPING CENTRE

Also check out her webpage for more stunning designs.

http://jonawear.yolasite.com/

And i cant wait for July! to see more beautiful designs!

Well done Jennifer a true inspiration for all young designers!!

Anna Skodbo

2010-05-14T04:16:00.000-07:00

So theres graduates running around everywhere its mayhem, getting the fashion show ready, theres so much to do, and the nerves take over as your collection is sent marching down the run way and you see why its all been worth it.

Seen as i am in year 2 at the University of Hertfordshire i thought i would take advantage, seeing the year 3's coming in everyday working so hard on there seven outfit collection is inspiring, and just thinking ill be there next year, scary but excited.

I thought i would bring you Anna Skodbo one of the designers in year three from the University of Hertfordshire.

Anna Explains herself and her collection "Freshly graduated Fashion and Textile Designer, Hugely inspired by London's Forgotten pockets of decay and ruin. Designs, buries, ruins and hand prints fabric individually to fit perfectly with her urban inspired high end wear."

Seeing Anna in the studio working hard, seeing her work her fingers to the bone to create a collection which is so fitting to her concept, from creating prints, to pattern cutting and designing, she is inspiring to a young designer like myself.

Heres some photographs of her Look Book.

click on photos to see the rest of the photo

The models Natasha and Bernadetta

From http://www.strikemodelmanagement.co.uk/index.php

Photographer Kristine Joramo

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kristinejoramo/

Hair- Chie Sato, Toni&Guy
Make-up- Louise Ormiston

The Graduate show will be taking place on the 2nd June, tickets are still available you can get in touch with Anna on facebook!

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?profile=1&id=609248833#!/pages/phannatiq/147567815349?ref=ts

I will be attending the show and so should you! hopefully i will be able to take pictures and bring you fresh new talent!

Exciting :D

My first post

2010-05-13T09:48:00.000-07:00

So this is my first Post, and recently i have been looking at Fashion that is inspired by other materials, such as paper, woods ect, finding and researching on what inspired them. I like this idea it really changes fashion into a piece of art, something to be looked upon and admired than to be worn

Designer Bea Szenfeld does what i can only describe as remarkable and amazing pieces with paper, i mean i could stare at it all day!! it literally makes your mouth drop, she uses little tiny circles of paper to create ideas and masterpieces, the geometric shape creates a silhouette of beauty.

The collection name is "Sur La Plage"

http://vimeo.com/11071291

She explains how her pieces are hand made, and how when a dress is made out of paper it becomes something different, meaning has changed.

One of the many pieces from her collection, her website is currently under construction, but when it is ready i'm sure i will be blogging more from Bea

http://www.szenfeld.com/Bea_Szenfeld/Bea_Szenfeld.html

She is something i can only describe as amazing! pushing the boundaries of fashion but not only fashion, art too, this is something that truly inspires me.

Violise Lunn a designer situated in Denmark, The designer has done remarkable works of art/fashion with paper, it is amazing what can be achieved, The designer also has a bridal and material collection which is beautiful, elegant and soft, but for me the collection is not as beautiful as the designers paper pieces.

To take a look at Violise Lunn pieces visit the designers web page.

http://www.violiselunn.dk/

This fine line between art and fashion, is getting closer, this bridge that people seem to think that art and fashion have, its non existence, its shown in the defining moments of a designers and artists thought process.

I mean there must be more people like these two, creating what i can only describe as wearable art.

Photos are not my own photos

Yey my first blogg