The Freedom to Fly.

Well, the end of my long and arduous Final Major Project has come to an end! As stressful and hectic as the end weeks were, it was all very fun - my favourite part of the process being of course the photoshoot! Here are some photos of me and my beautiful friend Soufia Belacel wearing my final samples! Enjoy!

Myself (Melissa Afonso)

And the GORGEOUS Soufia Belacel (also hair and make up artist- THANK YOU!!)

Photography

Birds Of A Feather Flock Together

As the saying goes 'Birds of a feather flock together' and my friends have done just that! As part of my FMP I need to have feedback on my work from 'outside' people! I created a group in order to get people to get thinking about 'Birds' and 'Freedom of Flight' and post anything relevant to what they think it might entail!

Well, lots of people contributed and have truly given me some amazing ideas and I cannot wait to start using them in my FMP!

These few are particularly breathtaking!

Lara Jade Photography

and this video of 

Extreme Base Jumping In Windsuits

Thanks to everyone who is helping, it is truly appreciated!

Wardrobe Overhaul!

Well, it is safe to say that when the bar in your wardrobe starts to bend quite considerably, it is time to get rid of some clothes! As I am a faithful eBayer, I will of course be selling them there. My page is http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/xchunoex if you would like to look at the stuff and maybe have a bid!

Anyway, I found that whilst clearing out my wardrobe I have quite a selection of LBD's!

As an homage to the great Coco Chanel herself, LBD's, you are here to stay!

A Single Rose Can Be My Garden...

Well, as at the moment it is Spring and the fair few sunny days we get are amazing! This weekend,whilst back at home, I was living in one of those stunning Spring days and while talking to a good friend of mine about how amazing the day was, he told me that in his garden a rose bush had grown!
One of the wonders of Spring, of course, is the blossoming of flowers! Here are some of the amazing photos that he sent me (copyrighted James Stephenson) :)

Definitely had me feeling sunny!

Birds Birds Birds.

Well, thinking about everything 'bird' related for my FMP, I decided to look at exotic birds, as although I may not be able to gain primary reference of them, they would inspire an amazing colour palette!
Here are some wonders that i've found

All Things Lavender!

Well Spring is here again, and this means that it will soon be summer! But as life is best lived in the present, I am going to revel in the fact that along with Spring means lots of lavender, which is what Spring always reminds me of, amongst blossoming flowers and other such things!

This also reminds me of not only the pastel colour palette that is recurrent in the high street at the moment but Barry M's new spring nail collection! At the moment I am definitely lusting over all of the pastel shades but in particular the 'Berry Ice Cream' which is the purple shade! I already have the pink and blue one, so will be adding to my pastel collection!

Fashion wise...

Christopher Bailey for Burberry SS10

Lavender Mac worn by Emma Watson

Pastel-coloured lavender eyes are also a feature for this year

Day Out At The Beach!

Well, whilst gathering inspiration for my FMP, me and some friends decided to take a trip to the beach to enjoy the fullness of Spring! It being the UK however, the weather wasn't at its greatest but we still had a great time! It definitely inspired me for my Birds project and I know I will soon be making another beach trip to study birds or indeed windsurfers! Here are some photos from the day...

I can't wait for Summer now!

Hello Leeds!

Well referring back to my blog on the project I did for Leeds, I received my letter and I have received an interview on the 15th April! Happy days! Along with my interview for Brighton, I can say that I feel very lucky to get these interviews alone, let's hope I get in now!

Lust List.

Well Topshop SS10, you have outdone yourself.

Pastel colour palette - check
Chiffons and silks - check
Frilly and feminine hems - check
Underwear as outerwear in soft shades - check
Heels with wooden heels - check


Everything I desire in life?! CHECK.


I am in LOVE with Topshop's SS10 Collection and I am not going to hold back. As soon as my finances are flowing, I will raid that place.


LUCKILY, I have some of these things already, it's just a case of buying the rest!!

Emma Cook. No.

I'm sorry, I know its bad for an amateur designer as myself to slate someone as accomplished as Emma Cook, but her new shoe range for Topshop is absolutely hideous. Whilst still lusting over her wedges from last season, I came across these from THIS season on the Topshop website.


Described quite simply by one of my fellow fashioners as "for the line-dancer meets prostitude inside all of us." (Elle Jenkinson)


Plain and simply NO!!

FINAL MAJOR PROJECT. AHH.

Final Major Project. These 3 words alone are enough to make any student break out into a cold sweat. Nights of endless work, no sleep, major caffeine intake, lack of social life, and lack of money!

Oh dear. However, it is a project where we get to choose our own theme, rather than work to the structure of the projects given to us before. As I am quite inspired by Greek Mythology, I decided to focus on the story of Icarus. This also links in very nicely to the fact that I am interested in birds and the possibility of flight!

My research starts now, so I will put pictures up, as and when I do my work/samples etc. I am VERY excited however as I hope to make a final collection. One idea I am planning to use is the idea of a birdcage, as a headgear or skirt. Upon my research I found these interpretations previously done by designers.

Agatha Ruiz De La Prada AW09 Collection.

I'll keep you posted on more wacky ideas that come my way. Definitely will NOT be taking inspiration from Bjork's swan dress however.

Leeds Project

Well well well, the time for interviews has come upon me again, bad times! As part of gainging an interview at Leeds, I needed to do a mini project based on circles, squares and triangles. Having to do my FMP at the same time means that this is quite a stressful time, but always great to further my work and develop my style and of course, research fashion!

Here is a preview of the final paper sample I have made for Leeds.

As you can see I have a bit of a penchant for working in paper! Fingers crossed they like what I do!