My favourite module or more specifically area of a module, was creating the trend book. I thoroughly enjoyed identifying a trend and providing visuals within a book format to inform an audience of this trend.
I under-took my own styling and samples to feature within the trend book and I still remain very proud of it today... which is surprising as it was the very first 2nd year module.
Generally I enjoy creating mood boards within my practice and identifying the details which allow a collection to work as a whole. I enjoy visualising and communicating a trend to an audience through stylised illustrations... it is the attention to detail which identifies the trend, from what the person is wearing to the way in which they are stood.. what bag they are holding.
My ideal profession would be as a stylist, especially for ASOS magazine, although commercial, I find their styling and shoots very innovative for the young contemporary audience.
I am unfortunately still searching for a work placement and considering broadening my horizons as I have recently been informed that a job as a stylist is rather un-achievable.
I admire the trend analysis' which WGSN provide and how they communicate this to an audience, I also have a flair for fashion writing as I tend to be very descriptive.
Sunday 22 May 2011
Helping with 3rd Year photo-shoots!!
I am grateful that I was asked by 2 3rd year to model for their final collection photo-shoots, as I got to experience first hand exactly what I will be doing in just a years time!!
One of the shoots on the 12th May was for a Pathway A student and was in the studio, the sole focus was creating a 'temptress' mood which the products were designed to create. Close-up shots of the products were also taken.
The other shoot was for a Pathway B student on the 19th May. This shoot really appealed to me as her concept was a 'quirky country' look! This shoot was on location at a stables which made for some great quirky shots... hopefully!
(Hopefully photos to follow!)
Everybody I worked with on both shoots to get the shots were great! If I ever get asked to take part in a shoot again, I will, as it is valuable experience for me and making some good contacts along the way!
One of the shoots on the 12th May was for a Pathway A student and was in the studio, the sole focus was creating a 'temptress' mood which the products were designed to create. Close-up shots of the products were also taken.
The other shoot was for a Pathway B student on the 19th May. This shoot really appealed to me as her concept was a 'quirky country' look! This shoot was on location at a stables which made for some great quirky shots... hopefully!
(Hopefully photos to follow!)
Everybody I worked with on both shoots to get the shots were great! If I ever get asked to take part in a shoot again, I will, as it is valuable experience for me and making some good contacts along the way!
Research Practices- Statement of Intent
One of the images I took in Hyde Park, Leeds, that is now developing the direction for my Statement of my Intent.
The toile in progress- with my original sample to be seamed into the side of the hip. Exaggerating the natural female form.
One of my ideas sheets exploring placement of my sample- Below is an example of my assigned 3rd years work (when I was assisting her in year 1), I look to these examples for guidance with presentation as we have a similar style- neat and informative.
Above is the window grate/grill in Hyde Park which inspired me to exaggerate curves of the female form (especially the hip.)
Above is the Physiognomy mood board I created. I created the sample from being inspired by the shape and defining properties of the Japanese eye. The sample was created during my research, therefore I believe that the research/design flow chart given to us cannot always be followed strictly. You should follow the developmental process as it occurs to you.Research Practices.. quite a surprise!
The two words I chose to fuel inspiration and research were; Pecuniary (meaning measured in money) and Physiognomy (the notion that character traits are visible within the face, especially criminals.)
I realised these words could be extremely challenging but they both interested me, I decided to stay true to myself and go for the challenge, to make up for not doing so in previous modules.
I tried very hard with the research, trying to strike the balance between primary and secondary research; drawing, photography, sampling and imagery. I believe that I have achieved this balance successfully.
Within Pecuniary I looked at architecture, rich and poor areas and with Physiognomy I looked at stereotyping what society perceived as good or evil due to appearances alone.
Ironically at the time of research my student house in Hyde Park was burgled, I had already photographed this area for Pecuniary research... window and door grills especially. Although an awful experience this threw me into the project and I became engrossed in the concept of criminal activity and the door and window grills used to keep criminals out ( I am now using this concept for my Statement of Intent.)
I have fully enjoyed the project ever since!! A nice surprise!
I realised these words could be extremely challenging but they both interested me, I decided to stay true to myself and go for the challenge, to make up for not doing so in previous modules.
I tried very hard with the research, trying to strike the balance between primary and secondary research; drawing, photography, sampling and imagery. I believe that I have achieved this balance successfully.
Within Pecuniary I looked at architecture, rich and poor areas and with Physiognomy I looked at stereotyping what society perceived as good or evil due to appearances alone.
Ironically at the time of research my student house in Hyde Park was burgled, I had already photographed this area for Pecuniary research... window and door grills especially. Although an awful experience this threw me into the project and I became engrossed in the concept of criminal activity and the door and window grills used to keep criminals out ( I am now using this concept for my Statement of Intent.)
I have fully enjoyed the project ever since!! A nice surprise!
Research Practices- Brief Outline
Another module I was apprehensive at the beginning of, as research is a weak area of mine. I struggle to present it in a visually exciting format. However I felt grateful for this project as it is my last opportunity to improve on research before entering the 3rd year and my research got a poor mark within Application of Design.
We were given a flow-chart diagram within the brief documenting the various stages of research and design development, this I found extremely useful and I will continue to follow this within the 3rd year.
The brief required us to select 2 inspiring words from our year 2 contextual lecture programme and create a body of research based on each word.
We were then to select a page from each body of research to fuse together and develop further into ideas sheets based on one 3d element.
We were then to forward this 3d element into design sheets and produce our final chosen design as a toile.
The final area of the brief consisted of a statement of intent, outlining our plans for 3rd year; for example our concept, colour and silhouette direction, market level and techniques and processes we planned to explore.
We were given a flow-chart diagram within the brief documenting the various stages of research and design development, this I found extremely useful and I will continue to follow this within the 3rd year.
The brief required us to select 2 inspiring words from our year 2 contextual lecture programme and create a body of research based on each word.
We were then to select a page from each body of research to fuse together and develop further into ideas sheets based on one 3d element.
We were then to forward this 3d element into design sheets and produce our final chosen design as a toile.
The final area of the brief consisted of a statement of intent, outlining our plans for 3rd year; for example our concept, colour and silhouette direction, market level and techniques and processes we planned to explore.
Helping 3rd Years on Fridays
This set-up ,which worked so well for me in first year, failed to be beneficial this year. Firstly the 3rd year student I was assigned to never came into sessions, therefore I spent my Fridays asking 3rd years (who already had the help of 2 2nd year students) if they wanted any assistance. Many replied with no.
I felt as though the timing for this set-up had been badly planned, as a 2nd year this was my busiest period, with the run-up to two 20 credit module deadlines and searching to secure a work-placement. 3rd years did not seem to need my help, I couldn't help but feel as though these Fridays were wasted private study time, especially as I work weekends.
I felt as though the timing for this set-up had been badly planned, as a 2nd year this was my busiest period, with the run-up to two 20 credit module deadlines and searching to secure a work-placement. 3rd years did not seem to need my help, I couldn't help but feel as though these Fridays were wasted private study time, especially as I work weekends.
Application of Design- 2 illustrations
I recognised whilst illustrating that I am becoming quicker at this aspect. I have never felt entirely comfortable with drawing, however since the drawing elective in Year 1 I have seen small improvements ever since.
These stylised illustrations appeal to Miu Miu's edgy nature of the brand with use of thick black marker pen and glue gun to render the shine of leather. The linear style I chose suited the uniformed trend we were working to, 'Your Space' and avoided show-casing my weak areas of drawing... hands, facial features and feet.Saturday 21 May 2011
Application of Design Outcomes!
It was challenge working within a design team and my first experience of doing so. I was naive not to believe that every single element within the module would either be a compromise or would hinder the progression of the group if an agreement could not be made immediately.
Our design team as a whole had a negative experience, especially within the presentation, its difficult to pin-point the cause of this negativity, maybe personality clashes within the team. It was evident within our collection that each member's translation of the trend varied slightly and this made for a weak collection identity.
I am grateful for the experience as I have learned to compromise my work and not to be too defensive over my work.
Unfortunately I am not proud of any of the work I produced within this module, the personality within my work was lost due to constantly trying to conform to other group members work, in the search of achieving a definite group identity.
Our design team as a whole had a negative experience, especially within the presentation, its difficult to pin-point the cause of this negativity, maybe personality clashes within the team. It was evident within our collection that each member's translation of the trend varied slightly and this made for a weak collection identity.
I am grateful for the experience as I have learned to compromise my work and not to be too defensive over my work.
Unfortunately I am not proud of any of the work I produced within this module, the personality within my work was lost due to constantly trying to conform to other group members work, in the search of achieving a definite group identity.
Application of Design- Brief Outline
Unfortunately there had been some negative rumours concerning this project from previous 2nd years so I was slightly apprehensive at the start of the module.
We were placed randomly into design teams and were to work as a team throughout the module. Teams consisted of 5 people, in my team were mainly people I knew and was friendly with already. I was unsure how I felt about this, grateful on the one hand but then again slightly disappointed as I would have liked to work alongside and interact with some new people... this would have felt more like industry.
The brief required the team to research into our chosen designer diffusion label (Miu Miu), produce a body of research and design development on a selected trend from Wgsn.
Each member within the design team was responsible for apart of the teams collection for example; occasion wear, formal wear, casual wear. A range plan of each members 6 outfits was to be produced and shown within a group presentation as a coherent collection.
The final part of the brief was to produce a portfolio consisting of developmental ideas sheets, a range plan and 3 illustrations of outfits within the range plan.
We were placed randomly into design teams and were to work as a team throughout the module. Teams consisted of 5 people, in my team were mainly people I knew and was friendly with already. I was unsure how I felt about this, grateful on the one hand but then again slightly disappointed as I would have liked to work alongside and interact with some new people... this would have felt more like industry.
The brief required the team to research into our chosen designer diffusion label (Miu Miu), produce a body of research and design development on a selected trend from Wgsn.
Each member within the design team was responsible for apart of the teams collection for example; occasion wear, formal wear, casual wear. A range plan of each members 6 outfits was to be produced and shown within a group presentation as a coherent collection.
The final part of the brief was to produce a portfolio consisting of developmental ideas sheets, a range plan and 3 illustrations of outfits within the range plan.
Design Realisation Outcomes!
I forwarded my concept of the bottom rever from tailoring processes. It works well and looks fashion forward in a subtle sophisticated sense... perfect for Zara.
Although I am satisfied with the appearance of my tailored jacket, I regret not challenging myself further with regards to pattern cutting. Admittedly I panicked with the time constraints slightly, therefore I decided against experimenting with shoulder pads and seaming the top stitched area on the jacket shoulders.
The inspiration for the blue top stitching on my jacket (princess lines and shoulders) came from my mums vintage leather jacket! I like the contrasting curved seam-line on the bat-wing sleeves.Friday 20 May 2011
Design Realisation
This module was very fast paced and only lasted a short 3 weeks, this was initially a challenge for me in itself as I tend to work at a slower pace compared to others. However this is the realistic pace of the fashion industry and I need to be pushed to achieve this pace.
The brief consisted of a few factors; taking inspiration from current trends (shop reports), a vintage item and previously learnt tailoring techniques in order to design and manufacture a tailored garment for a chosen market level (I chose Middle market- Zara.)
Along with design and manufacture we were to produce a technical package for our design consisting of technical flats, pattern pieces, lay plans and garment specifications. I felt comfortable with this part of the brief as I enjoy being technical and the accuracy that goes with it, it makes a nice change from being constantly creative!
The brief consisted of a few factors; taking inspiration from current trends (shop reports), a vintage item and previously learnt tailoring techniques in order to design and manufacture a tailored garment for a chosen market level (I chose Middle market- Zara.)
Along with design and manufacture we were to produce a technical package for our design consisting of technical flats, pattern pieces, lay plans and garment specifications. I felt comfortable with this part of the brief as I enjoy being technical and the accuracy that goes with it, it makes a nice change from being constantly creative!
Tailoring Outcomes!
The final sample of my jacket design, the rever is a 'play' on a traditional tailoring technique of hand-padding the rever. I have used a decorative machine stitch rather than hand-padding, for professionalism.
I took inspiration from high profile Tailor Oswald Boateng with his innovative quirky features incorporated within tailoring
(An example of a hand-padded rever.)
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