O is for Origami.

The end of my Recycling Project has arrived and although the last week was extremely chaotic and full of blood, sweat and tears, I managed to pull a final piece out for it!
I decided to model my own dress as I felt it was pretty much catered to what I would wear and also, only I would be liable if it broke!


Here are the final pictures from the show of me in my final recycled dress.

Closed eyes on the runway! Oh dear!

To Recycle or To Not Recycle?

Well after 4 weeks of thorough research and enough recycling to fill (another) landsite, I have come to the conclusion that the only material I shall and will use is...paper.

I started thinking about origami and came across these amazing origami dresses made by Sandra Bucklund.

I would love for my pieces to be as clean cut and couture-styled as these pieces, but as this is a Recycling Project, I will use recycled paper only. I expect mine to have more of a rough feel, but then again, its all about the ideas!

Recycling Project

Well, so far the projects we have done have all been 2 weeks long, and so obviously most of the time, there just wouldn't be enough time to make a finished product, only samples. However, this project, titled 'Recycling' is our longest to date. 4 Weeks long and it has to be thorough and well thought through.

Obviously, this project is very rich in ethical issues and perfect for tonnes of research. It is an issue which affects us now and so is great to show our enthusiasm for change and to try to help the world we live in, even if its only through some whimsical costumes!

Upon research, I found some really cool websites which either make us aware of the issue of recycling, or better still, put it to good use!

One of my favourites is:

www.junkjewels.co.uk

This websites, based on intergrating old and new pieces of jewellery fits its name exactly. They have a stall in Portobello, which I visit whenever I am there as they are always updating their jewellery, and its all very quaint and cute!

www.junkystyling.co.uk

R.I.P The Great Lee Alexander McQueen

Our respects at this time go the great Alexander McQueen, who was a true inspiration to all!

His beautiful pieces could most noticeably be seen on the infamous Lady Gaga, who wore his pieces in her "Bad Romance" video, as well as to the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards!

One of my favourites definitely has to be his "armadillo" shoes, which were typical of McQueen's fearless attitude to fashion!

McQueen, who studied his MA at London's own Central St. Martins had true belief in the buzzing creativity that the city beholds...
"What we do have in London is a fantastic pool of talent coming through the colleges. We are the fashion world's incubator."

A minute's silence was given to salute him in LFW. It is also heard that McQueen's AW10 collection will be showed in an intimate viewing during Paris Fashion Week.

Here's to you McQueen and everything you did!

The Art of Nails

Something I've found very interesting is the trend of wacky nails that has hit the scene a few years back! As fashion becomes more outlandish, we are evermore finding ways to accessorise an outfit, and last year it was all about the nails!

One of my flatmates Soufia, always has wonderfully painted nails, with cute little designs and it inspired me to write a blog on it!
There is a shop that I have heard about through the grapevine called WAH! nails, situated in the up coming hotspot of East London.

My friend Soufia and I then decided to try out some of our own!

and the Valentines inspired hearts..

Brick Lane♥

BRICK LANE.♥

Home of my heart - (as well as Portobello which is literally 5 minutes from where i live!)
Brick Lane. Home of vintage. Home of hobo. Home of happy hearts.

Went on a recent visit there, and decided to show a different side to it - when it is quiet and not the usual buzzing Sunday atmosphere. As it was as part of my 60s project, I decided to take my photos in black and white. The quality is not the greatest though, as I don't have a SLR - one day! :)

Also Brick Lane is featured in Pixie Lott's new song "Nothing Compares" - which I adore!

"Walking down Brick Lane, feel the blue
Winds blowing lightly and I picture you
Sweet Sunday morning, with nothing to do
Love is like a dream, when it's just me and you."

Also if you go down there, make sure to visit Beyond Retro's warehouse! Insanely amazing!

Uniform

What is Uniform? Is it a one-ness of a people, objects? Or is it the material we wear that strips us of our identity and groups us as a multitude?

This was one of the projects given to us and I decided to study women in the war.

When I started the project, I realised that a lot of the stuff that I was making, (inspired by the old women's outfits in the war, but modified) had a lot of androgynous contexts and I was happy with the final product as it seemed to empower women of war.

Here are my final samples....

Inspired by the nurse uniform.

Made solely from zips and leather.

Enlarged epaulette - my favourite piece.


Anyway, work is hectic and projects are time-orientated so better get back to working! Hope you are enjoying my work!

GARETH PUGH. I LOVE YOU.

HOW MUCH AM I ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE WITH GARETH PUGH?!

ALOT.
ALOT.
ALOT.
ALOT.

Found him on a "Dazed and Confused" magazine years ago, and have been in love ever since! He also studied and worked in my home town of London, at Central St.Martins (where I didn't get into- boo hoo! :(.. ) and is such a talented young man, at the tender age of 38!

One of my all time favourite collections of his was SPRING07, where Pugh literally went crazy with PVC and experimenting with completely changing the silhouette through volume. Here are my favourites..

Love the Viktor and Rolfe style neck!

and...

Insane designer! Keep up the good work!

Swinging Sixties

First Project of the year: "Swinging Sixties"

I have chosen the 60s as my era as everything about this era is effortless and full of change and growth.
As my muse, I have chosen, the one, the only, Brigitte Bardot.

She embodies that whole raw sexuality that emerged in Paris, and I thought using her to explore the 60s would help to inspire a great collection of samples. I absolutely love that on camera, she exploited her 'blonde bombshell' ego and had no inhibitions and yet behind the camera was a very vulnerable woman.

The body image of the 60s also is one that is very alluring. Natural curves, womanly, yet extremely comfortable. It reminds me of old photos of my mother in the 60s, with her perfectly coiffed hair, itsy-bitsy bikini and miniscule frame!

Take me to the 60s please!

Fashion School Drama

"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different" - Coco Chanel (1883-1971).

Coco Chanel. One of the many designers who have inspired me to follow fashion and style. Her designs inspired the LBD (little black dress) and what we now know as the Le Breton stripe.
When I first started out with the idea of wanting to be a designer, I found that my style was much like Chanel's - understated and simple. However, having come to University to study fashion in a foundation degree, I have found that my imagination is on a constant buzz and that I in fact like working in an erratic way, trying out as many things as I can all at once.

One thing that always struck me about Chanel was her strength in her femininity and loved that she herself, when asked to be married to the Duke of Westminister, said..

"There have been several Duchesses of Westminster. There is only one Chanel."

Amazing woman.