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.

3rd year decision

After a tutorial with Sarah i have decided to return and do my 3rd year at AUCB. Originally i wanted to do my third year in London and commute from home, but if i did that i would have to start again in my 2nd year and do an extra 2 years. The other option was to do an internship but i would like to get my BA degree as well as my FDA.

Chanel - Spring Summer 2011 Full Fashion Show Part 1 - High Quality (Exc...

Some of Chanels beautiful creations

5 year plan...

To be honest i have no idea where i 'plan' to be in 5 years but i have a very rough idea.

1: I was really unsure of where i even wanted to be next year because originally i wanted to do my third year in London. This would have most likely meant doing and extra two years and personally i think its really unnecessary doing 4 years of fashion when i could be out in industry earning and networking. So that got crossed off my list. I also considered doing an internship, but i would really like to get my BA degree before going out to work. After considering all my options i decided the best for me would to stay at AUCB for my third year which includes doing the 3 month placement so i get a foot into the industry.

2: After university i would like to See the world a little. I have been lucky enough to travel a bit already but to go off for 6 months and see as much as possible would be amazing.
Saying that i also know how difficult it is to get a job within the industry so if any opportunities come along i will definitely take them.

3: By my third year i would like to be working, ideally in London or somewhere close to home. My interests lye withing pattern cutting and the manufacturing side of fashion so i would like to think my job will be around that. A lot of manufacturing seems to be coming back to the UK so maybe ill more likely be doing an internship somewhere which i would be very happy about.

4: finishing an internship, looking for a more permanant job.

5: Settled and happy within my Job role.

Revolutionary...

After researching over christmas into revolutionary i decided i wanted to base my project on music, and the 'revolutionary moments in music'. How its affected peoples behaivoir, who they socialise with and the most obviouse they way they dress.

Work experience - Kite Kids.

For my work experience last summer i spent two weeks working for Kite Kids clothing company. They produce environmentally eco friendly garments for kids aged 2 - 11 years old, and i believe they have recently introduced their baby range which they were working on when i was there. Majority of they time i would have been in the office, but i also helped on some photoshoots at the beach and from those photos i helpd create their catalogue on in design. Below are just a few of the photos that were used.