Spring/Summer 15

SS15

Generic blogger FW post x1000

Yes. It's that time of year again (or so it was until 4 days ago anyway) where you I, fall asleep every night clutching Vogue's never-ending features on the fashion world's latest and the spend the days living in-between the phone alarms, alerting me to the beginning of Erdem's botanical fananza etc. Above, after facing much inner turmoil, struggling to decide which designers to include (Dior, Erdem, Celine and House of Holland- no brainer, nearly made the shortlist...) I've compiled a few of what I consider notable collections this season. Firstly we have Alexander McQueen, that should be enough really. McQueen's powerful and very much refreshing Spring Summer Collection (Paris Fashion Week) is something in-between oriental and space alien/ astronaut; or Samurai Warrior- Geisha Girl as Vogue seemed to put it. The models were cloaked in a palette of red, black and blossom pink with enlarged floral prints contrasting the stiff lantern sleeves, aggressive hairstyles and angular (not to mention at times scary) black masques. Then there's Christopher Kane (a collection dedicated to his late mentor Louise Wilson OBE), taking London by storm mid-September with his use of cord, rope and coils embroidered and threaded through/ onto his dresses. The SS collection also featured a series of silk dresses, bursting with tulle, something duped by Kane himself as the 'controlled explosion dresses.' Westwood's (unsurprisingly eccentric) collection was rife with historical references (something which undoubtedly enhanced my love; with Dior also taking nod to history the day before) and, as expected, costume drama. Only Queen Vivienne could pull of a collection featuring upturned picnic basket hats (yes, really) and Eve (of Adam and), Little Bo Peep, Snow White, amongst various other mystical characters were also present in her latest designs.

Dolce & Gabbana, a brand which promises two things (and never fails to bring them); opulence and attention to detail. The design duo's collection, showcased in Milan, 'cited the Spanish

influence on Sicily between 1516 and 1713', with evident references to flamenco dresses and bull-fighting costumes. The garments, all centred around a black/ white/ red colour palette, were ladened with embellishment (no surprises there), fringing, lace, polka dot and floral prints; whilst models wore their hair in severe buns, adorned with carnations. One outfit which did particularly strike me, was their heavily embellished gold basque/ corset, gold crown/ carnation duo (see far right); something which almost immediately, and somewhat unfortunately, reminded me of something in-between Beyonce's World Tour Advert and Geordie Shore's most recent 'Queen Vicky' ad- no offence to Bey of course. The collection came to a close with a parade of models, dressed in crisp white shirts and high-waisted, again heavily embellished, red shorts; a beholding finish to Milan's Fashion Week. So there we go, another fashion week I have not attended, and a another week of crashing my computer over the Vogue website; time to pretend/ lust over/ sulk over the clothes I'll never be able to afford (sell my right arm?)

Till next time, 

Patience is halfway to happiness

'Better late than never', 'Be patient and understanding', 'Patience is halfway to happiness'; all credible excuses, right? So I'm little delayed with my 'weekly' post but this time I have an excuse- promise. The past few weeks have consisted mainly of three main things; sewing, wrapping willow (?) and excessive coffee drinking. Sleepless nights aside (apparently I work more efficiently at 4:30 am) I've finally managed to finish my Textiles AS Level final piece. From our initial provided title of 'tailoring and haberdashery' I decided to focus on the concept of using things generally concerned with the construction of a garment e.g. dressmaking patterns, dressmaking logos, the use of lining fabric, as mere embellishment. In addition to this I've also looked heavily into Elizabethan Clothing, the emancipation of women (with the role of war) and the decline of the British Textiles industry; looking at designers including the theatrical elements of Alexander McQueen and Issey Miyake. For my piece I created a rope wrapped willow cage skirt (unintentional tongue twister...) and a dress decorated with dressmaking symbol screen prints, hand-stitched symbols and embroidered/painted logos. To create a distressed look symbolic of the decline in British Industry I burnt my fabric and used 3D texture paste to recreate the look of mould. Above are a few snaps from schools fashion show where I, and fellow textiles students, modelled their pieces. After a multitude of textiles stresses and realted incidents, the most memorable being setting off the fire alarm and thus causing the mass evacuation of my school (during exam week...), I feel like it's time to hibernate-literally.

Till, next time 

 

Unfinished