My fashion callling...

Got a lovely email from my tutor today in response to a mid point review i had this morning. We did the reviews in groups of threes and my current project is based around lingerie, we only got about 10 minutes each though. At first she sounded unsure of my work when i was showing it to her then she looked at my designs drawn up on illustrator and said they were actually very strong. Anyway, she sent me an email this evening that basically said she was happy to see that i had finally found something i was really interested in and linked me to some places i could apply for internships and that if i wanted i could carry lingerie design on into my third year. I live for positive feedback like that and she’s right, this is something i really want to do! I've been doubting my choices a lot recently, especially whether i'm happy where i am and doing my course. I think this was the push i needed.

On top of that we signed the contract for our new flat today! We move in 1st July, i’m so excited!

2013

Firstly, HAPPY NEW YEARS!!! Sorry for the delay in posting, my laptop broke. I am now currently using my housemates spare windows laptop until my mac and my laptop are fixed! Disaster. So time for an update.

We have started a brand new project at university which requires us to choose a commercial brand and create a minimum of two new collections for it. They can either be for AW13-14 or SS14. Originally i chose to do Topshop as my brand of choice but after a tutorial with my course leader i was left a bit unsure. Basically, topshop update their collections constantly due to them always wanting to be ahead of the game as well as being such a large company that they have enough staff to constantly update. Or so my teacher tells me. So she said that i would really have to predict what was going to be big a year ahead and hope for the best.

After that i wasn't sure what to do, however i did want to try out lingerie design as it has always appealed to me. In the past two years a company called Boux Avenue have been setting up shop in many large cities across the UK. They sell classy but affordable underwear which is aimed more at the young adult - adult market. We have one here in Bath and i have been in a few times and so went to check it out again. I was sold from the moment i walked in. There is no trace of trashy looking ensembles, everything is delicate colours, with beautiful fabrics and trimmings. You'd be surprised how cheap it is too especially for the quality. I am now working on my first collection for the project and thought i'd share with you a design that isn't actually finished yet but has taken me hours in illustrator and one that i love -

I need to get faster at drawing on illustrator though seeing as i only have 2 weeks left to get it all done and printed into a look book!

Wish me luck!

Traveling

The things i do for my friends, such as traveling an hour and a half by train for their birthday. I don't really mind though as i love travel, so i guess it works out well for me. The only problem i face is what to do whilst on my journey. I own a kindle and so reading a novel is a viable option, but alas i do not have anything currently downloaded. So this is where i find myself installing the blogger app for my phone and updating my blog on the go. Technology is a wonderful thing.

So i thought today i would post some pictures that i took on a recent trip to London. My course requires me to visit the capital in order to gain inspiration via numerous sights and galleries, as well as source materials and fabrics. Whilst on my last visit my friend Ben and i decided to go and look at Harrods' window displays. We had already read about them but wanted to view them for ourselves. So here they are (forgive my phone camera quality) -

They are all based around the Disney princesses and designers were commissioned to make a dress for each one. I personally adore Jenny Packham for Rapunzel and Elie Saab for Sleeping Beauty. What do you guys think? Also i'd google 'Harrods window display 2012' for better pictures!

(Note: This was supposed to be posted yesterday but my phone started playing up! Typical.)

Craving.

For my first post since my very long hiatus I will be looking at the items I am currently craving. Not that I should really be window shopping, I spend enough money as it is on my wardrobe, but here they are -



Neon Satchels.

Bohemia £112

Madison Belts £129

J by Jas M.B £85

H! by Henry Holland £39

I find it very strange that I have even been attracted to this trend - I hate neon. At least, I thought I did. I remember back in 2007 when florescent clothing was a massive trend and I have to admit I did my fair share of following it but after that brief period of what I like to call 'style insanity' I abhorred it. Yet now here I am dreaming of the perfect satchel to sit comfortably against my hip and aid me in my too common shopping trips.



Acid Wash Jeans.

Miss Selfridge £38



I did have some acid wash jeans that i bought from Topshop in 2008/2009 when they were promoting their 'Pippa' range which was a skinny jean that cut to just above the ankle. I adored those jeans and they are still in a drawer somewhere, however they are old and a bit tight. I've been looking for a long time for a pair of jeans perfect enough to replace them and one day whilst browsing the shops i cam across these beauties. I am in love with these jeans! From the colour to the ultra soft texture, they are perfect. I know what my christmas money is going on!

Off the Radar.

I'm not sure if anyone really reads my blog but I've been gone quite a long while and I apologise. The fact is that a chain of unfortunate events this year has led me to look at my life quite differently. I have learnt that bad luck comes in more than threes, but what I never grasped until now is that no matter how tough life can seem, there is always a little good around every corner. I have seen my world crash around me this year and all my control just melt away. For a while I let my grief and anxiety consume me, I wrapped it around me like a dark blanket and carried it with me wherever I went (If I chose to go anywhere). I lacked motivation and any other emotion but sadness, my work became affected; my education was put at risk and my life halted. Then one night I tipped myself over the edge and that was when I knew I needed help and I got it. To me, help always seemed a bit pathetic, like you had let yourself down. I have struggled with a dark cloud shadowing my mind since I was 13 (I am now 20) and the idea of talking to someone about every silly thought that went through my head seemed hellish. I felt like no one would ever understand my hardships and my views and now that I am an adult I understand how very wrong I was. It's not that they understand exactly either, it's that they accept everything you have to say. You are not judged. I think that is what I was always so afraid of - being judged for just being me. For being human. I think anybody that finds themselves at their own personal rock bottom should always get help. You don’t have to live with your sadness and you don’t have to bear that weight on your shoulders. If I could give the best advice possible it would be this – talk to somebody. It's been an interesting few months and looking back on all that has been discussed and all that I have said I think I’m finally starting to make sense of the dark cloud. A couple of months ago I was so sure that everyone had abandoned me, when in reality I had abandoned myself. I am finally beginning to accept myself, but that does not mean that I am not looking for change or to put it better - growth. I am determined to become a better me, I am looking to regain my control. It will be a difficult process, a lot of hard work on my part, but I can already feel a tinge of strength back in my bones. The pressure on my head is subsiding and a feeling of relief and anticipation for what is to come. I am ready to start fresh and new, not to mention regularly updating this blog. Thank you for reading, Lulabelle.

Current

Apologies for the delay, i'm lacking a lot of motivation in everything at the moment. I think i'm just bored of this semester of university, there isn't that much happening. We are currently doing tailoring, which should be really interesting but unfortunately it's only two days a week and that's thursday and friday and by that time no one can really be bothered. However, i'm slowly powering through!

I have two lovely images to show you all of my completed white shirt project. The idea of it is to be a casual looking and comfortable shirt and the final material is brushed back cotton sweatshirting and cotton. I'm very pleased with the end result and have had quite positive feed back from my tutors.



Hand embroidered detail


I plan to take some pictures on a model soon so that it can be seen better on the body!

Sorry i've been away!

I lost my internet for a little while and then had projects to get on with but i'm back now :)