V&A

The Victoria and Albert Museum presents one of the most influential and enigmatic fashion designers of the last forty years, Yohji Yamamoto. Yamamoto is a visionary designer who has made a vital contribution to fashion, challenging traditional norms of clothing with his avant-garde style. This is his first major solo show in the UK and is an installation-based retrospective showcasing over 80 women's and menswear garments, which are most representative of his work.




When i went to london to buy my fabric i thought i may as well make the most of being there so i went to the Yohji Yamamoto exhebiton. Yamamoto is internationally renowned for challenging traditional notions of fashion by designing garments that seem oversized and unfinished, that played with ideas of gender or with fabris not normally used in fashion such as felt or neoprene and it was really interesting to see his garments up close. Other works revealed Yamamoto's unusual pattern cutting, knowledge of fashion history and sense of humore. His work is characterised by a frequent and skilful use of black, a colour that he describes as 'modest and arrogant at the same time'.

SOS - Save Our Skills

When i recieved this weeks Drapers i was drawn to it straight away just because of the front cover which said 'Uk manufacturing special - Save Our Sillks'. This is a topic within the fashion industry that im really interested in because im hopeing to go into the manufacturing side of the industry, particularly pattern cutting. Save our skills and bring manufacturing back to the UK.

The first event launched on the 26 February and continued until the beginning of April and was an innovative exhibition and limited edition book of the same title; ‘Carnaby Street: 1960 – 2010’. The event was held at 38 Carnaby Street and puts into context the history of Carnaby from its earliest origins in the 16th Century to the present day with a focus on the 1960s.

The central feature of the show was a unique 3D timeline which illustrates key people, events and happenings in the area. The show started right from the beginning, 500 years ago, when Carnaby Street was a green field site with a well and a scarecrow.

It covered the iconic characters associated with Carnaby’s music heritage such as The Rolling Stones, Sex Pistols and Jimi Hendrix. The limited edition book features images from 60s photographer Philip Townshend and exclusive interviews with people who have lived and worked in Carnaby including The Who’s Pete Townsend.

This was perfect for me because it relates to my project perfectly showing the revolutionary moments in fashion and music over the past 50 years.

PRAGUE

We took a little break and headed to Prague. It was amazing and i think coming back and trying to get back in 'uni mode' was a struggle for everyone!!




It was a beautiful place, a lot of the buildings were very dark and gothic which relates to my project perfectly so i was happy about that.
We also visited one of the fashion university courses to compare and see the difference. To be honest it wasnt really that different apart from the fact that they had about 3 students for one year compared to our 30+.


Hand help sewing machine, pretty cool and may be handy incase of an emergancy but i think ill stick to a normal sewing machine.

Fashion Monitor: Fashion Monitor is the leading provider of contacts, news and events within the fashion and beauty industry. Established in 1989 Fashion Monitor is heavily relied upon by professionals needing the most up to the minute and accurate information available. In short, everything a Fashion & Beauty professional needs to know!

Mintel: Independant provider of leading market intellegence that delivers information, analysis and critical recommendations to help people stay ahead of the market.

Companies House: The main functions of Companies House are to incorporate and dissolve limited companies. Examine and store company information delivered under the Companies Act and related legislation; and make this information available to the public.


Fashion Index: online guide to fabric, trims, services, contractors, manufacturers, fashion, apparel and home furnishings industry sources.started in 1992 by a fashion designer who had arranged her Rolodex into types of fabrics and trims, instead of from A to Z. When she noticed that everyone where she worked was using her Rolodex when they needed to do their research and sourcing needs, she saw there was a need for a similar product. Fashiondex was formed, that “Rolodex” was reproduced in book form, and several months later the first “Fashiondex” was produced.


Drapers Record: It is a Magazine and website that offers access to the UK fashion market. Read by everyone from Philip Green to a small footwear independent in your local high street, Drapers is undisputedly the voice of the UK fashion industry, having been first published 120 years ago in 1887. It include news, trends, top fashion jobs, catwalks, exclusive sales data and discussions. I find it the most useful and it helps me keep up to date with what is going on in the fashion industry.

1st Toile Review

Had my first toile review and it went a lot better than i thought it would. I was worried because i didnt have four complete outfits but from what i had it was easy to explain what to expect. They were happy with what i had produced so far and only said to make minor changes, such as taking darts out and making things longer because i have a tendency to go just a bit too short. Because my collection is only going to made out of two fabrics i have to get them right. The main feature on my collection is the lace so i have to make sure its the best i can find, and afford, otherwise it could end up looking cheap and tacky.
Next step: fabric source, change patterns, re-make toiles.

Dita von Teese

I Love her and she also inspired the Gothic Glamour theme for my Professional project.