'green pants'

Itchy!

I went to York yesterday with the parents...

...and i found this really cool vintage place http://deepvintageclothing.wordpress.com/ I really liked this place! i always this that vintage places would do so much better if they actually sorted through all the stuff they had and put it into sections.... yes it may be fun to trawl through and be so happy when you get an amazing find! but i much prefer to see things all in a nice rail in colour sections, ready for me to pick up and buy when i like something. I think ill be back there some time soon (well, when i have more Moolah...)

Knickers.

I've used the left over fabric that i printed to make my garment for the current project to make some knickers. These are not finished yet, but you get the idea. I've played around with the pattern too to try and improve the fit. I feel another craft fair coming on.

Tout Nouvou.

We had a presentation today from two third year students from Huddersfield uni that have set up there own business to promote new designers on a website by selling there stuff for them, the designer negotiates a wholesale price they want for it, and if it sells in a six month time period they get that price, and the two girls get two and a half mark up on it for themselves. I really like this idea but im not sure my designs are suitable for the designer diffusion market they are aiming for. I still eft them my details and i will chat to them and see if they will still give it a go with me, i could tweak my designs too to fit in more with this higher market level. I want to make sure that i use sustainable sources, end of line fabrics, or recycled fabrics in my designs, as this is close to my heart and something i dont want to give up on, even if they want me to, its what makes my designs special. I cant bloody wait to sell my stuff though! Its what ive always wanted to do!

Designing.

I've been doing a bit of designing on the stand and sampling this week, i think the design part counts for a lot in this project (well 20% is research and design, but i think it will be heavily weighted on the designing)  so I'm trying to do as much as i can this week. I like designing on paper, and i find it a bit effort to make up samples and put them on the stand, although i always find i get so much more out of doing this, note to self: make the effort to do this more!

Fabric creation!

above are some pictures and the fabric printing in the digital print room. I'm really glad i had an induction in the printing rooms, i think this will come in useful especially in 3rd year if i want to create my own fabric again. I used heat dispersal inks because i wanted to use a synthetic fabric for the lining. It was first printed by the machine onto a paper that transferes to the fabric when put under the heat press at about 200 degrees for about 40 seconds. I love the results but i did some how manage to smudge one small part of it right in the middle. Not bad for my first go though. I WILL BE DOING THIS AGIAN! 

Research

Just a few of my research pages from the project. I know its only 10 credits but i feel like I'm doing as much work as if it was 20. hard core! i really enjoy the research parts of projects though, finding inspiration and colours i can use. I've started a little designing too and its going really well.

Back to it.

just getting back into uni work now, im a bit scared to think we only have 3 weeks (and 2 days a week at that) on this new project, and we have to research, design, make and do flats, patterns, anda technical package or the collection. oh the joys!

I am going to do something a little different this time round too, im going to make a jumpsuit/playsuit thats casually tailored. its going to be hard but i really want to push myself forwards. i am also printing my own fabric for the lining this afternoon, ill let you know how it goes! I've never done anything like that before, so that will be fun! ive drawn the image out that will be repeated and printed, as you can see. It's for the season s/s11 and i think animal prints will still be around, but in a cuter, more Laura Ashley way. im really excited to see how it comes out :)

Work experience.

I have had a reply to an email for work experience based in Leeds!

Hi Nicole, Yes that sounds fine. I take on unpaid work experience students periodically. I can’t guarantee the work is exciting as what you will be working on depends on the project at the time you are with us. We do a lot of bespoke work so it is client based, rather than putting together collections, and due to eh nature of the work is often hand sewing so you will need good needle skills.

If you want to pop in and see me for a chat that will be fine. When are looking to come and work

Regards

dawn

so I'll have to get back to her ASAP :)

LouLou loves DavidDavid

 Lou Lou loves you in one of my favorite knicker designers. and here are some snaps of her collaboration with DavidDavid (who sells in Dover street market). I think its just wonderful.

SLEEK magazine.

So i was browsing F.Tape and i came across this lovely magazine and i just want to eat it up!! the model is considered a plus sized model in the fashion industry, (a 42 european size) but i think she looks amazing! The photographer is Bill Dugin and wanted to show the resemblance women have to food. nom nom!!

very exciting news!!!

I've been asked to design and make a wedding dress for my cousin thats getting married in 18 months. i was scared to say yes at first, with all the work involved, but i couldn't resist an opportunity like this!!! i'm going to have to start collecting fabric samples and prices, look at wedding dresses for design ideas, mock up patterns, toils, teach myself some of the skills involved that i don't know how to do yet, and make the actual dress! AAARRGGHHHH!!!!

result!

I got my results back for tailoring process's, and i got a big fat 73!! woop woop!!! all my hard work before christmas paid off! and i'm so glad i did put the extra hours in and got a 1st. i really want to average a decent 1st this year.

It was also the 1st day bak after christmas and we had an enterprise lecture. It was pretty scary, talking about tax rates and how they differ and how much the government take off of us! its crazy!

I have a lot of paper work stuff to get done for enterprise, i don't want to get left behind in this one, it seems to be dragging out too long and i am loosing interest to be honest, for a 10 credit module it is lasting along time, but i just need to get my head around it and ill get myself on track.

Critical studies tomorrow, and we are meant to have thought of a question to answer for our essay. any suggestions because i don't have a clue?!?!?!? something on sustainability.... but i'm not sure yet.

i've found this new website...

http://theuniformproject.com/home/daily.html 

Its a girl who, with the help of a friend designed a dress, make 7 copies of it, (one for everyday of the week) and wore it everyday for a year, addressing sustainability issues. She accessorizes the dress differently each day with donated, thrifted, bought second hand or things she had already to update the outfit to fit with fashions. I'm thinking of using this as an example in my critical studies essay (which i'm still not too sure what the subject will be exactly yet!) but i like the idea of it anyway!

shop report....

I've been going around leeds doing my shop report today and yesterday, it's quite hard getting back into it after the christmas break! its very difficult to do when its in the middle of the january sales, but i think i've done a fair amount. i think i want to base my designs for the upper mass market (Whistles, Reiss, All Saints etc...) as i normally design for the middle mass market, Topshop etc.. so it will be a nice change and broaden my knowledge and understanding of the differences. i have to keep thinking about my portfolio and how things will look, and to make sure i have a varied amount of work for it. Which is also why i chose to design menswear in the last project, because i had never done it before.

 I need to start applying for some work placements too. i have been doing some work on and off for a local lady called Lizzie who works with recycled fabrics (and is also a graduate of LCA) but for my actual work experience i think i would like to work for someone else so i have varied experience. i don't have any experience with large companies, only independent designers so far, and Lizzie has quite a few contacts in London (as she is doing her Masters there now.

Oh no's! christmas is over! >.<

Well it has been a lovely one :)

& look what my lovely boyfriend has bought me! i really want to wear my new Nanny State shoes, but i think i might have to wait until the snow has all gone! and how nice are the little hugging salt and pepper shakers? oh so nice! apparently i'm hard to buy for, but i think he's got it spot on :)

I just need to get rid of the new year hangover now, which is still going strong. had a blast though! time to get down to some work. shop reports, research, designs, blah, blah.......