Half scale update

Hi everyone,

As I mentioned I am not on show anymore so that means I am back on my half scale project :) I mentioned this before but just in case you don't remember this is the project where we choose a historical dress from Janet Arnolds Patterns of fashion and make it up in half scale.

I chose this victorian day dress- which I was lucky enough to go and view at the v and a archive yesterday!! (Clothworkers centre- you have to book an appointment :):

(Image from v and a website)

Here is what I have of my half scale so far:

It is taking a long time due to all the hand sewing and how much decoration there is involved but I am proud of how it's coming along :) I working on the overskirt now before I finish off the bodice so I should have some of that to show you soon! 

Hope you are all well :)

Bye, ill be back soon! xxx

First Uni show!

Hi everyone :)

My oh my it has been too long since I posted! But that's what happens when you are on shows and are working 9am till 11pm each day and then have only 3 days to finish off all your written work :p But that is all done now so I am here to report back! :D

First I should tell you all what the show I was working on actually was- it was a play called 'The Low Road' written by Bruce Norris. I thought it was a very interesting play (we had to read it and watch the run through so we could see where actors would have quick changes- which we as dressers are in charge of).

 It's main theme is economics- which makes it sound a bit boring unless you are into economics but it actually very different and has a really good story to it. It is mainly set in the late 18th century and follows the life of an arrogant and corrupt business man who was raised by a brothel owner, it then jumps forward to the present day in the middle to see one of his ancestors (anti equally slimy businessman) at an economics conference and finally ends with Some Alien bees coming down at the end. Yes you did read that right- alien bees!

I do not blame you if all that makes no sense at all it is one of those things that you need to really read to understand and I'm sure then you would enjoy the story and really get into it and start analysing it like I did! It doesn't sound like it but it is actually a comedy and so when you properly read it it actually gives you the laugh as well :p

But anyway- now onto my make. I made the coat designed for the main character, Jim Trumpett, to wear once he had grown up and travelled to market and bought all his new fancy goods- my coat which was meant to be one of his purchases.

AND HERE IT IS:

The pleats are striped- a cool detail the designer wanted :) There were stripes included somewhere on all the costumes by the designer to signify how everyone is kind of connected in the small american tows where the play was set- and I suppose connected to ancestors too for when they jump to the future in once scene. I really like design features that are meant to signify things like the stripes in this play- as it's almost like I am building a code or a secret message into what I am making that can only be accessed by people analysing and imagining and really getting Into the show :)

I was really proud of how it came out :) It fit really well and I really liked the finished aesthetic- it is probably one of my favourite things I've ever made! And it was even more fabulous taht it got be in a show- on a stage- in stratford london- in front of an audience- which on two of the nights contained my family and friends!!!! :D

Here is a sneaky shot of it I took from backstage inbetween carrying out my quick changes:

But here is a much better shot of it took by the official college photographer during dress parade :p:

Haha now- did you rebel I mentioned alien bees? One of my jobs was also to help with making thier costumes. We started with some yellow fisherman suits and after some sampling and a lots of hand sewing and analysing the designers sketch here is what the alien bees jacket looked like...

Notice the stripes..? ;)

And here are the trousers- mid having thier 'pollen pockets' sewn on :p:

I really wish I had a picture of the bees full dressed up as the lyrics and the see cool helmets and backpacks with wings on that scenics made! And they had yellow marigold gloves with really long pointed black fake nails on and utility belts! Haha and the microphones they had made them sound all buzzy.  I had to quick change alien bee 1 (there were 2) which was quite a challenge as you can imagine due to all the crazy parts there is to put on- but it was fun and we managed it!

Hehehe hopefully I have managed to explain some of the craziness of shows in an understandable way!? :p 

Well done to everyone involved as I think it was really good show and everyone really made me feel part of the team which was lovely!

I wonder what adventures and randomness my next show holds for me...? :o)

I hope you are all well and I will speak to you again soon!

Bye xxx

Vodafone London Fashion Weekend!

Hi everyone! 

I hope you are all doing fabulously :) 

As I mentioned, the Saturday just gone, I went to London Vodafone Fashion Weekend. For anyone not sure of what that is exactly ill give a quick explanation :) London Fashion week happens 2 times a year but the shows at london fashion week are open to trade/by invite only. London vodafone fashion weekend happens in the weekend after london fashion week at Somerset house and is an event which shows some different catwalk shows and has pop up shops and is an event anyone can buy tickets for and join in the fun! :)

Also each VLFW a designer is asked to design a tote bag- which you get one of filled with goodies if you come to the event. Last time I posted when I went in September Lulu Guinness designed the tote bag, but this time around it was Pringle of Scotland:

I really like the cable knit design- it is quite a simple design- but very stylish I think. Very different to last year's so keeps things interesting! :p

This time me and my mum went to one catwalk as we found we preffered the designer catwalks to the trend ones.

The show we got to see was Halston Heritage. This was a brand/designer I was not overly familiar with so it was good to learn more.

Here are some shots of the outfits in the show:

My favourite pice of the whole catwalk was the pale green shirt dress with teaches over shirt that ca  be seen at the front of this picture- looks fairly simple at first but there is some interesting pattern cutting and construction going on there!  I would also definitely wear it in the summer! 

I love getting a shot of when all the models are walking down the runway- always looks cool and dramatic! :p

Overall I preffered last year's designer catwalk- Nicholas Oakwell Couture as the designs were so intricate and beautifully worked and some really interesting cuts. But as I said it was still good to see a different designers work and there were a couple of pieces I really liked.

I can't wait to see what VLFW offers this September when it rolls back around! :p

Speak to you all again soon with news on my first ever college show!

Bye xXxX