My Clothing Label

Here is a label I created for my clothing design in Illustrator.....

African Revolution

So today was the deadline for out melting Pot project....

Over the last couple of weeks I had been researching and designing towards my final design, and this last weekend has been taken up with me progressing these designs and working towards my final design.

I have found this project quite hard as at first I was so inspired with my chosen cultures for the designs but once completing my mood board I came to a bit of a block. From the mood board I had a few ideas about what I'd like to achieve but my visions were on the final idea rather than the working progress.

I decided to go back to my mood board and have another attempt. This time the results produced a lot more inspiration towards my designs. Once I began my initial sketches I found inspiration ran with me and I feel my final design represents everything I was trying to show through my research and chosen cultures.

On my presentation to the class and the teachers I was very pleased with how I presented myself and my project, and felt I was able to fully meet the criteria set. I was able to learn a lot about myself through the project and the way in which I work.

Jumpsuit Illustration

Here I created three views of a Jumpsuit and added shading and detail......

Michelle xoxo

Ooh la la......French Revolution......

I love research and presentation but I am finding the melting pot project really hard!! I have all my research and I  feel really inspired by everything I have found and I can see how I want to present my piece.....I am just finding getting the ideas and inspiration onto paper the most difficult.

Don't get me wrong I love the class and the chance to be creative but I feel I have so many ideas in my head its hard to find a single place to start. Tonight, however, I am going to get down to it and let my creative juices flow and see what I come up with......So watch this space!!!

Stella McCartney

I have had some trouble uploading this.....but finally got it sorted! So taa...daaaa!!!

I had made my slides all fancy with some interesting entrances but it seems they don't want to upload.....but I think the presentation is good enough without it :) xx

Melting Pot

So the new the project.......Melting pot......

I have definitely done my research on this as I was unsure what the definition of this was.
So far in class we have had a day of research and on the Monday just gone we had the morning to work on our flat drawings. I am not a bad artist but the technical detailing of the human body, for instance the hands and feet, i find a particularly difficult. I also found it hard to relax and to sketch with a free hand with my drawings of the model template, this is something I am going to continue to work on through my studies, and most probably in the future as I feel as I gain more experience and have different opportunities these will change....!!

Fashion Label

In Illustrator we have been creating our own fashion label with dress/garment designs included in the page.

Here is mine........

Shoe zone.......

In Jamie's class we got to trace a shoe design and fill. I chose an Bronx Osiris Trainer.....very retro and 80's but have also come back into fashion the last few years!
I just love the high top fashion!!!!

Going to London...to buy a heat magazine!!!!

Yesterday we went on a trip to london for fabric sourcing....this consisted of us shopping for 45 minutes in a mad dash around Shepherds Bush to get as many fabric samples and business cards possible. I wish we had had more time in Shepherds bush to be able to collect our samples as we really felt the pressure of time.

Then we went onto into central london and we were left to our own devices....in my group we decided to make the most of being in london and head to the fabric shops......the fabric in these shops were BEAUTIFUL but very expensive. I was lucky enough to be able to pick up business cards though and I purchased some really cute fabric which I'm going to make to use cushions in my house....I couldn't resist!!!

Below are a few pics I took in one of the shops I particularly loved.......

Illustrator finally clicked.....

I think between Jamie and Steve's class's I am going to get the hang of Illustrator!!! Yesterdays class with Jamie really helped me to grasp the tool bar and how to make my way around it.....so I'm feeling much more competent.

Yesterdays Class we made the four card symbols....Diamond, Heart, Spade and Ace.

Today in Steve's class we played with shapes and found how to overlay shapes and include text....I enjoyed it today as I feel I am at a stage where I can now keep up.

Black and White Design

I'm so excited to write on my blog because today was the day to make and produce our Black and White sculpture, and I had the most fun doing it!!! I had taken the weekend to collect a few bits I would need to produce my vision.

I got into uni early today to set up my model and pin the start of my dress so I had the chance to look at it and visualise my ideas.
The design throughout the day came from a lot of trial and error. I would take a step back from the dress each time something new was added.
My ideas came a lot from the mood board I created, the black and white steps on the dress came from the curve and silhouette figure mixed with the picture of the spiralling steps I found.
I used paper manipulation a lot in my piece this came as I worked through the design but I had originally researched Alexandra Zaharova and Ilya Plotnikov and their use of paper which made such striking and sculptural pieces.


I was overall very happy with my final design I feel it really showed how my piece developed from the flat image of my mood board to the sculptural design. I also felt I was able to connect with the designers and inspiration we were given at the beginning of the project.

I also enjoyed the opportunity to go round at the end of the day and look at others work and materials that were used. I was particularly taken with Kyla's use of video tape that she manipulated and used in her design. I felt this was an unlikely material to use but had such striking effects.


Today was a very good day which I thoroughly enjoyed and I can't wait to get started on our new project for this class!


Michelle...xoxo

Bodice Contruction

So we finally got to put our patten's we had cut into use......we get to make a bodice!!!

Today we contructed the main body and to be honest I was really nervous. I have made garments in the last few years but I knew now it had to be perfect. The finishing and stiches needed to be neat, even though my work is always neat as I am a perfectionist, when the pressure is on to get somthing right I always panic.
However I feel that today went well and I took my time with the machine as I am still learning to work with the industrial machines.

Hopefully fitting the arms next week will be as good....fingers crossed!!!

Michelle xoxo

Illustrator

I've been learning or more like struggling through Adobe Illustrator. Last weeks session we started to create and colour a copy of a scuba diver. I was finding with Illustrator everything we had been instructed to do was not working for me resulting in a very wound up Michelle by the end of the class.

Today I have come back into the class with a fresh start ready to try and conquer Illustrator and with great suprise especially to myself I've been able to do it!!! I was able to take on the intructions and I was able to create a scuba diver swimming through a hoop.

As i'm so proud of being able to accomplish it that I thought I would blog and include the diagram......

Can you cut it in fashion?

Right......so i listened to Can you cut it in Fashion, with the lovely and rather excitable Fern Cotton.

I wasn't sure what to expect from the CD but there was some really interesting advice given and also information on area's in fashion I had not considered before.

From listening to the recording I found these valauable points of information........
* David Blanche from Unbro really interested me, much like he mentioned to be the consenous, I did not think of sports wear to be an important part of fashion design. However it seems that sportswear is one of the most influencial parts of fashion design and that in the england squad the likes of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney and John Terry, etc have their own styles of shorts and shirts that they wear, and that in itself sports a fashion trend.

* I was also interested in what Lulu Guinness had to say as I am very familliar with her work as a close friend stocks this in her shop. I found wht she had to say very interesting as she was able to find a gap in the market where she launched her range of handbags which is what got her started. She also had valuable advice that you should always trust your instincts and gut feelings and try to be ass original as possible as this what is looked for.

The main advice I took from the recording is that:
* You need to be enthusiastic and hard working.
* To be realistic in your job choices.
* Learn how to understand the brief and what is expected of you.

I also know now that I need to start thinking carefully about what I want from my placement and where I would like to go and from the contatcs I have already to do some ground work and make contact.

Can you cut it in Faashion has overall helped me to see that this is absolutely the right course for me and that all the skills we are learning from Illustrator and Photoshop to self evaluating ourselves are invaluable and will give us the skills to be able to go straight into the workplace from compelting our degree.

Michelle xoxo

Communicating Visions

Today in our Research and Presentation class we were given our new project to work on. 
The theme for this project was Black and White Sculpture and we were given a small introduction and designers that may help our thought process.


I started my research by constructing a brainstorm on ideas for Black and white. I then used this to search the internet for pictures and ideas to put together for my mood board.


Here is the theme board I created.....

Michelle...xoxo

Modelling

Today in class we learnt the technique of modelling fabric onto the stand.

This is a technique I had not experienced before so I was quite apprehensive about it.
We began by pinning the calico onto the back of the model and pinning to fit the frame by including a shoulder and waist dart. I found this part quite easy as I had previously made garments with darts I knew what position and where to pin.
We then repeated this method on the front making sure the shoulder darts lined up at the shoulder. We also trimmed the armhole, neckline and waist so the calico fit the model.

I had a lot of fun doing this, apart from the occasional pin wound and this has definitely opened up a new way of working to me that I think will become very useful in the future...!! I'm looking forward now to be able to construct the garment so I can have a finished piece.

Michelle...xoxo

Those who I look up to......

My Mum and Dad......
I know it may seem on obvious choice to others but my Mum and Dad have always been a big inspiration to myself.

My Dad left school at 15 with no GSCE's and moved from Glasgow to Jersey to make a better life for himself.
My Mum left Liverpool age 17 with only 2 GCSE's to move to Bournemouth to get her own independence.

My parents have both taught me the values of how to live life to the full and do what makes you happy. They have always supported my decisions and from that I feel I have been successful in all I have done.

They both have successful jobs, they own a home together and are still happily married. Life has thrown its problems but they have worked it through together.
My mum went on to re-take her Maths GSCE. She has also NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and has gained her IT qualifications. Her IT qualifications have lead her to her current job as an IT Trainer at a hospital which she really enjoys and what I'm extremely proud of her for.

My best friend......
When I look at my friend Tara I see success that inspires me to work towards a similar success.

I met Tara when I was 18 working in a restaurant. At the time she was at Winchester university on a four year teaching course.
She has since completed her University Degree, moved to London with her partner who is now her Husband. She applied and was successful in securing a job as a teacher in a catholic school where she has settled in and is very happy. Tara and her Husband also purchased their own home in London at the beginning of this year and they are expecting a baby in February 2010.

Tara's story is not only career success but personal success and I only wish one day that it is something I can achieve.

Michelle....xoxo

S.W.O.T

Strengths - Weaknesses - Opportunities - Threats

Photo referenced from: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjebvzsYAx_IAljxMXa8XnOZ6onbNPptkli8QBjGQlKkfmq37b3R_Ny3bcdvBEYImZAlLAy7yMOsf2LzX6HxAQCPM1ZdVAOCajw-CopntVw3LJ37oRCDdLYTjJTJr5ryM54wMPA7OUKODkK/s320/swot+copy.jpg

My Strength:
To be in a position now where I feel I know where I am going and what I want to achieve from the course.

My Weakness:
I have not been in education for some time and I am finding getting down to the written work does not come as easily as it used to but I'm getting there.

My Opportunities:
Well I feel like the world is my oyster!!! From being stuck in a job I hate my opportunities now lay in front of me whatever route Fashion takes me.

My Threats:
Right now - I would have to say my threat could also turn out to be my inspiration and that is my class.
Long term threat is going out into the industry and showing myself to be the best for the job.

Michelle....xoxo

Fashion Museum

Sooo.....my lovely boyfriend decided to spring a surprise weekend away for me in Bath.

On the Sunday on our trip he took me to Bath Assembly and Fashion Museum. I had never heard of it but I found it to be a great inspiration and incredibly insightful.

The museum showed pieces from 'Dress of the Year'over the last few years, 'Music and Fashion' which showed a collection of CD's dating from the 1963 to the present day which just shows how the fashions have compared through music and fashion. They also displayed pieces dating back as far as Regency, Georgian and Victorian times.

One particular exhibition they showed in detail was Bill Gibb which was particlulaly interesting, it showed his workings through sketches, notes and mood boards displayed on a wall as well as showing a number of his garments that have made fashion statements.

The museum was amazing and I have so many pictures that I would love to share but there are about 150 of them and I'm afraid I'm going to have used all my blog space if I do!!!! I was able to take so much in though and I'm hoping to use all the museum was able to give me, in my fashion years to come.....!!!

Michelle...xoxo

Pre-Raphaelitism

As part of our Research and Presentation class we were given a small introduction project so that we could start to learn about research and presentation of the information found through a theme board.

We were given five words where we had to pick one to go off and research about.....

PUNK
MILITARY
HANDMADE

PRE-RAPHAELITISM
RANDOM

Originally I chose to research Handmade. I chose this as I thought about what Handmade could mean and I instantly thought about the Greeks building the great Roman Temples and Aqueducts and I was interested to research other architectural buildings that were Handmade. I was then worried that these architectural works of arts may have been classed as Man-made rather than Handmade and so looked into what other options we had been given.

I then thought about researching into all the words we were given and typed each of the words into google. Pre-Raphaelite struck me the most and I was intrigued to find out more, so I decided to pursue this in my work to be able to become more knowledgeable on the subject.

From my research around Pre-Raphaelitism I found myself drawn into the subject and constantly searching to find out more, unfortunately I only had the week to research but I think the subject will be something I continue to discover.

From my research I found out about Pre-Raphaelitism and the seven artists that founded the brotherhood. From the seven original artists I found a number of other artists that were influenced by the movement. One in particluar was William Morris who was influenced by the Pre-Raphaelite work and this influenced his Art Nouveau work with stained glass.

Below is some inspiration I found for my project from stained glass I found when I was away for the weekend in Bath........

The other source of inspiration that I found lead me to find a photographer Julia Margaret Cameron. In her work it shows great similarity to Pre-Raphaelite paintings. In a lot of her pictures she used the well know women or goddess figure and through the use of photography would portray the pictures in her own way.

(Pictures coming shortly...)

Michelle...xoxo

Chop chop......

Thursday 8th October - fresh faced and ready for our first full day of class!!

Today was our first lesson in Pattern Cutting.....a favourite of mine as I love getting stuck in and practical!

In the next few weeks we are going to be making a bodice. Today we had blocks which we had to trace around and we learnt how to put notches and to allow for seam allowance. I have had to use seam allowance before but this was back at GSCE level, so I wanted to forget all experience I had before and learn all the skills fresh so I didn't pick up any bad habits.

We were able to learn a lot in the class, not only about pattern cutting but also about the techniques used and the names around these. The main ones that stayed with me after our first class are......

Notching:
A mark which is made to indicate where a dart begins. It can also be used to indicate where the seam allowance is on the fabric.

Toile:
A sample made of the garment. This helps to see the hang and fit of a garment and to allow for any alterations before constructing the final design.

Below is a couple of photographs of how my bodice progressed throughout the day........

The initial pattern cut and marked:

In the next few weeks I'll be able to use my pattern to put together and sew using Calico which i'm looking forward to....!!

Michelle...xoxo

Here is to the new me.......

Monday 5th October - I feel like death warmed up.....having a low immune system really sucks!!!

Today we had our planning and presentation class. In this class we learnt about the next 11 weeks and what to expect. We also displayed our holiday projects.

This is something I spent a lot of time on over the summer. I first came up with the concept of the T-shirt as I thought this would be a different and inventive way to present a bit about me and my life.

First of all found it quite hard opening up and writing about myself and my life but once I started creating, the words seem to come naturally.

The holiday project is something I am quite proud of as its been 4 years since I've been in education and I was worried I'd forgotten how to apply myself. However I am sure in a years time I will be able to look back on my project and see just how far I have come......and I can't wait!!

Michelle.... xoxo

To a future in Fashion.......

In the run up to my first day on the FDA Fashion I was very nervous. I kept wondering - would I be good enough?

On my first day I was both nervous and excited. I didn't really know what to expect but I was excited about the opportunity to develop myself and my skills.

The first week was over in a flash and information overload!!!

I think I managed to take it all in though and I'm looking forward very much to getting stuck in to the course as it progresses.

I haven't had much of a chance to get to know many of the class yet....but I've made friends with a few people so far and everyone seems lovely so I'm excited to get to know them all.

Michelle..... xoxo