Sample this some more!

Since my last post the NTU Textile Design students selected for New Designers 2010 were confirmed and unsurprisingly Kezia, Daisy and Rosie are all heading to London. Congratulations to all of my other friends and peers who were also chosen, including Jasmin Loyal with her sophisticated layers of jewel encrusted, laser-cut leathers and sumptuous satins...

Jodie Harfield with her painterly, feminine fashion prints...

Esther Sowa and her contemporary futons - inspired by the urban environment and architectural form...

and Fiona Broadbent with her quirky, playful laser-cut pop-outs...

With all of these innovative graduate designers and more - New Designers is set to be a pretty good show!
http://www.newdesigners.com/page.cfm/Link=1/t=m/goSection=1
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Sample This!

As our our Textile Design degree shows comes to a close I want to mark the occasion by congratulating all of my fellow, super talented students! I am so proud to have been a part in such a successful exhibition & here are a few personal highlights...

Daisy Thomas' work is so incredibly beautiful - adorning sumptuous fabrics in vintage brooches and clusters of beads - I love her pretty colour combinations and the lustrous qualities of her embroidery.

As for print - Kezia Regan's eclectic use of bold colour and imagery is reminiscent of Eley Kishmoto and Marc Jacobs, whilst retaining a sense of individuality with her innovative use of processes.

Rosie Moss' laser-cut lights and folkloric prints also inspired me as they reminded me of old-fashioned fables and traditional Scandinavian textiles.


More to follow...

Vintage Eclectic

Jennifer Nicholson obviously inherited her father, Jack Nicholson's, artistic flair. Scanning through celebrity magazines (just because I can now!) I didn't expect to stop in awe of Jennifer's eclectic vintage pad. When most of us think about L.A. we probably imagine ultra modern or Art Deco style mansions that line the exclusive suburbs of the Hollywood Hills. However, seeing this home only made me even more determined to live there one day...

A little piece of history, crammed full of ancient antiques that create a quirky assortment of period references. For me, the carved 18th Century chairs look almost as though they have been salvaged from the ocean bed, with their shell-like shape. The ornate nature of each piece of furniture has been carefully considered and work beautifully together.

As for her wardrobe - well, I'd trade my more modest collection of charity shop finds for her rail-upon-rail of vintage treasures any day! x

The Dressing Up Box Is Your Muse.

Hello blog x I feel like I've neglected you for this past couple of weeks....but now I finally have time to indulge in recording my inspirations again. My degree might be finished but my collection lives on in the look book that is finally complete...

'The Dressing Up Box Is Your Muse...sees a return to the timeless glamour of bygone eras. Inspired by precious antique jewellery, heirlooms and ostentatious costume - this Spring/Summer 2011 collection is infused with vintage charm.

Using found materials and sentimental hand-me-downs, the new and the old are married together as contemporary processes update vintage finds. Statement headpieces and embellished brooches have arrived out of unwanted textiles, proving that waste can be beautiful, as well as unique.

Escape into a whimsical world of powder puff pastels, enriched with opulent jewel-like hues and be unafraid to use the dressing up box as your muse...'

Time for tea at Hundhill Hall

Finally, my own shoot has taken place & I am thrilled to say it was a success. Photographed by John Garon & modelled by Emily Rayner & Melissa Bell - my ideas took shape in a setting that I could only have dreamed of (before an extremely kind lady granted me permission to use her grounds at Hundhill Hall, West Yorkshire.)

As I am super busy with it being my last week before my degree hand-in, I will post a taster of my final collection shoot which sees my own hairpiece designs alongside brooches and handbag embellishments. Using clothing from an array of vintage stores; high street stores & even borrowing pieces from my grandma - my styling epitomises my design concept, 'The Dressing Up Box is Your Muse'. Capturing timeless glamour whilst bringing it up to date by mixing the old with the new - I couldn't have hoped for better results.

Thank-you to all those who helped me, but in particular - John, Emily & Liss xxxx

Dreamier, edited images to follow...

Hazy days - Harper Smith

Wouldn't it be nice if we could all look so effortlessly elegant as the Au Naturale models pictured by Harper Smith...Filtered colours and hazy lighting evoke a sense of marvel.

'Upside Down' Paloma

With her chameleon exterior - Paloma Faith is the queen of diversity. This recent 'Upside Down' music video shows just how playful her wardrobe is; customising her image with bold accessories. Her custom-made Sonia Rykiel head piece juxtaposes the pastel balloons in the background, just as her canary yellow dress does.

I love the parasol & the candy striped turban - doesn't this just sum up Paloma? Outlandish and unafraid to be experimental - costume changes are a MUST in my own shoot if I am to convey the idea of transforming character.