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!

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!

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!

Blair's Wardrobe

I've watched nearly two whole seasons of Gossip girl in just a week whilst doing my project and during in that time my preference when it comes to favourite wardrobe is going to Blair. The above image has to be the most wonderful and elegant she looks this season (5) so far! I found the image on a facebook group called 'Blair Waldorf's Wardrobe'. I remember when Gossip Girl first came out and Blair annoyed the hell out of me, I always loved Serena. But the last two seasons and especially this one show a different more mature side to her and she's gradually become my favourite. Hopefully her fashion stays this good!

Culture Project

The images below are by me, featuring my fashion work based around African Culture. The yellow patterned fabric is from Tanzania and the trousers and rest of the top are made of crepe du chine. The jacket is leatherette, faux fur and faux feathers. I wanted to get my theme across in the outfit but also to take elements of African tribes and modernize them to create a chic, original outfit. Rachel Dapre models.

Jumpers

Jumper designs that i drew up for Textiles, A2 level. I will make and sell them some day!

My ♥ Miu Miu Imageboard

I wish i had these shoes!










All images from weheartit.

S2011RTW - Miu Miu

This was a review that I HAD to post, there was no running away from it because to be completely honest...I'm shocked. If you know me you will no doubt hear me talking about Miu Miu non stop till your ears bleed, hear me rambling on about how Miuccia Prada made animal prints (as in literally animal silhouettes) chic instead of childish! How she creates dazzling shapes and structures, but today I'm throwing a little bit of my love out the window of a 100th floor flat. I won't be completely nasty about this show because I love her was happy to see the usual innovative designs I expect of Prada. The edgy and modern shapes and also, as you'll notice in the pictures, the various random additions that make her garments very much, her own (By that I mean the box pleats).

The Bad


I like the last design, it's just the satin doesn't hang well, it doesn't look right to me.

What I must get out of the way right now is those hideous jackets! Fair enough if they are your style or preference but from other reviews i've read so far (All negative) and also just the sight of them I can't help but feel depressed that one of my vastly becoming 'favourite' fashion brands has let me down! I suppose i'm being quite harsh right now but if i'm going to write a review i might as well be as honest as possible. The jackets are what i'd call frumpy, if anyone uses that word anymore, they don't compliment the models figures at all. In fact they look about 4 sizes too big for them and while i can't deny 'oversized' can look damn good sometimes, these jackets just don't do anything for the eye. It's not just the size either, it's the shape, the range of awful colours and also those odd flower looking prints that adorn the front. The one that makes me question the decisions of Prada most is that garish gold, green, black and silver one, that would make even the most experienced sailor seasick. I can imagine it (minus the green) as a sequined top in a plain cut with a wavy edge, but definitely not as a jacket. The other thing i must point out and i feel a little bad for saying this, but has anyone else noticed that some of the dresses look a little flung together and not fitted properly? Of course not all clothes must look skin tight, but what I mean is that some of them look a little unfinished. And the satin mixed with some of those silhouettes adds a cheap looking quality. But I must move on now in fear that i'll convince myself otherwise of Miu Miu's greatness.

The Good



Thank god we've reached this stage of the review I was feeling a little flustered. After the initial disappointment I came upon some dresses that grabbed me from the water I just plunged myself into and said 'Hey look, Miuccia's still got it!'. I must compliment her on the swan dress, especially for keeping a little animal in her designs. It fits, it hangs wonderfully and reminds me a little of Japanese kimonos and paintings. It has a graceful tranquility about it and I like that. Another thing that grabbed my attention was the stars that have been mixed in the designs, I'm not always taken by stars as I feel they are over used a bit but they give the garments an edgy cool feel which definitely adds some youth to the collection. I especially like the starry skirt with the red and white top. My overall love of the entire collection, a little plain jane but classy was the black, knee length dress with four straps that had a lace like detail cut into the fabric below that reminded me of daisies (very spring time indeed). This is the kind of Italian chic i would love to have vibrated through the whole collection but at least we can admire this. Even the belt adds to it's delicate and womanly appearance and the model looks great!

All in all though I am disappointed, there were a few hidden gems and my love for Miuccia Prada and Miu Miu is still very much there, if not saved by her previous collections. Lets just hope that FW is something more of a treat than a surprise gone wrong. Feel free to disagree with anything i say, after all it's all down to opinion! :)

Once again, all photos copyright of Style.com, i'm just a borrower! If you'd like to see the whole collection click here.

S2011RTW - Elie Saab

I've been on Style.com (one of my favourite fashion sites) searching though the S2011RTW collections, i saw Elie Saab's name amongst the vast list of designers and decided to have a look. As Style.com also noticed there is a definite 70's vibe amongst the elegant garments that floated down the runway and might i just note the delicate pastels ands dreamy silhouettes. The show confirmed that sequins are still going strong and dashes of vivid green, orange and pattern assured us that there is a little something for everyone. I must also add the range of garments that we are provided with here, tailored trousers and shorts to jumpsuits and dresses. What struck me most on the Elie Saab cat walk was the exquisite flowing chiffon gowns that boast gretian goddess and beauty. If i were rich (sadly far from it) i'd snap one of these little beauties up in a second and i'm not a gown kind of girl. I appreciate their craftmanship and detail, even dream of owning one or two, but i'm picky. I hate all that prom dress rubbish that makes satin and tuelle look cheap and tasteless, i'm more simple sleek cocktail dress (usually black). However, i'm a sucker for chiffon, just the way it hangs and the way it feels (not to mention the whole princess feel) makes my eyes light up and tantalises my senses. So i bow down to you Saab you genius. Check out Style.com, all images are copyright of them.