Learning something new, everyday.

Topic: Bam!

So after a solid 4 months of battling through a collection riddled with impossible leather, one of my highly knowledgeable classmates introduced me to the Bernina foot, 52.

A pretty normal looking foot encased in plastic made my day-it doesn't stick, it doesn't slip, it pretty much doesn't do anything you don't want it to. 

For leather fanatics, in fact anyone who likes to challenge themselves with a thick, heavy weight textiles, do yourself a favor.

If only I'd found it sooner, but rather late then never!

Ashhhhhhh

FOREVER and FASHION <3

coming up for air.

Topic: a fresh breeze of culture.

An abundance of work and a brief lapse in time management is the result of my lack of updates.

Caught in the hustle of workload I forgot to give in to a little reflection time, but here goes.

This week, amongst other things, we've been working on a set of designs, entitled 'celebrity weddings', drawing inspiration from the media and celebrity hype I focused my designs on Katy Perry and Russell Brand,

Everybody needs an escape from conformity sometime!

I've developed two wedding looks for the couple based on an Indian tradition, playing with eccentric cultures.

For the love of diversion...

Here are some of my inspirations, the colours and the silhouettes are proof that a picture is worth a thousand words.

I am enticed by cultures, trends, twists and traditions ...

Never a boring day in fashion?

Ashhhhhhh

FOREVER and FASHION <3

only appropriate.

Topic: Caught amazed.

Still deep in thought on the topic of my last post, I found myself dwelling into the presence of other bloggers. 

People with knowledge and insight into not only the world but their own being and existence.

I came across the fashionable Elena Vasilieva , a blogger, a designer, a label founder and a passionate  photographer.

To reference her description of her line, and herself, in her words: 

"VASILIEVA fashion is not about just clothes, it’s about lifestyles, about uniqueness and personal identity of every garment. It is about the VASILIEVA girl who can often be seen in the streets of a megapolis. She is innocent and pure. She is different. You want to follow her. You want to get to know her. She will become your muse, your inspiration. She will possess your heart. She is so effortlessly chic. Mixing different trends and styles she is not afraid to express herself. Each day she is unique.."

A mission statement, I as an aspiring designer 'go weak at the knees' for.

I found myself in ore of her imagery, her photography and her style.

A name, a face and a blogger worth remembering.

Dabble in her life and style at:

http://elenavasilieva.blogspot.com/

http://elena-vasilieva.com

Ashhhhhhh

FOREVER and FASHION <3

silence the masses...

Topic: why not let their voices be heard?

'To blog or not to blog?' A topic hot on the tip of everyone's tongue,

more specifically a concern for my third year class.

The statement was raised in a lecture last week and left open for discussion and opinion,

a contradiction?

We were left to give our opinion on giving an opinion?

Or potentially not?

The question up for debate was whether or not to give into the voice of today's fashion bloggers, to condemn or to encourage the freedom of speech?

The topic has been raised by many in the fashion industry with reference to the hierarchy...

Some feel bloggers, as such, have arrived and risen in the world of journalism so rapidly that there has been little chance for evaluation and as a result the exclusivity of the media is diminishing.

Others however, feel that the voices of fashion bloggers, their opinions and their insight is held in such high regard that its they have become irreplaceable and cherished.      

Slightly transparent that as a result top designers and design houses are forming personal relationships with the most respected bloggers of the industry, pampering them with front row seats to the biggest shows and first class sneak peaks into the their latest collections.

Famous to the ever growing fashion industry - 'its not what you know, but WHO you know." 

Its our right as society and opinionated designs to speak out minds, voice our ideals and be true to our verdict, its just convenient that blogging and tweeting is at our fingertips.  

So BLOG - judge and convince, embrace freedom of speech remind the industry that life has become fast paced and whilst it invades the privacy of secrecy and knocks down the tower of suspense, no one can stop our ever evolving mechanics of life.   

Why fear the take over when you can embrace the change...

Ashhhhhhh

FOREVER and FASHION <3

remind me why.

 

Topic: ...its just a midweek dilemma

Sitting in class today sewing the fifth garment of my collection, amongst fur, thread and scraps, it hit me.

Im more then half way through my final range, a range I am passionate about with regard to its concepts, risks and intentions,

yet a range that explores little about me.

I have failed to show who I am and where I come from, my personal style and developed characteristics.

Is that what my final collection should be about?

Have I twisted the intentions of a collection or have I just allowed myself to explore the alternatives?

In my final attempts to reassure myself I drowned myself in research.

Just thought I'd share a collection with you that I found along the way, finding conceptual parallels between this range and my own I found these few images highly influential and motivational.

These were from a unique Topshop collection for fall 2010.

I also had a look at the ever famous fall 2011 haute couture collection of Jean Paul Gaultier.

It was said to start with a simple pinstripe double breasted suit and at the conclusion we see the incorporation of furs, tweeds, leathers and feathers.

A reflection of not the designer but the changing times, challenges and styles.

Reassurance?

Maybe.

   

So back to my dilemma, what should instigate a collection?

 Whatever really. 

Ive been inspired by so many sources, motivated by countless experiences and driven by being intrigued by fashion.

So now in my final year I have put my all into a range that interests and entices me, and whilst it doesn't reflect my personality it reveals my diverse interest in all that is 'out there' in fashion and life.

Dismiss the dilemma?

Lets wait and see . . . 

Ashhhhhhh

FOREVER and FASHION <3




Image source: 
http://agentnikita.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/animal-fashion/ 
http://weheartit.com/entry/12047993
http://www.fashioncollections.org/womens-fashion-collections/jean-paul-gaultier-fall-2011-haute-couture/#      
                        
                                           

a change of style.

Topic: the funny thing about something new.

Reminding yourself of why you want what you do makes it all worth it.

All of it.

Falling back into the FEDISA cycle with the well know 'Visual Studies' week we were given little time to procrastinate.

Starting off the term with a storyboard assignment based on characteristics I was able to shift focus. The brief was to design for a client of our choice, I opted for a 'hippie character', a free spirited carefree individual who is casual, comfortable and inspired by yoga. 

Hypocritical? Maybe...

Nevertheless the assignment was a diversion from me. A fresh perspective and a conjunction of styles, a reminder of where to find inspiration.

        

An African take on a hippie client, a fresh, comfortable and energetic look.

Will the change remain.

Lets wait and see . . . 

Ashhhhhhh

FOREVER and FASHION <3

Image source: www.weheartit.com

"...excuse my absence"

Topic: could someone please press pause. 

Caught somewhere between silence and mayhem I accepted the illusion of our mid-year holiday as what it was, an illusion.

As a third year student I took on FEDISA's annual  internship assignment with the rest of my class, we were required to fulfill 3 weeks of experiential learning within the industry. 

A sneak peak at what is to come?

Maybe.

Inexperienced and somewhat naive I was just a small, very small, fish in a huge ocean, never mind the pond.

Baffled by unheard of terminology and stunned by pace I completed my 3 week internship wide eyed and more knowledgable then before.  

Being under the spell of the term 'graduate'  its only fitting that our perceived vacation was non but that.

With an internship behind me I attempted to clear my head for the storm to come,

collection garment 4.

Once doubtful of my motivation I was kindly reminded that every accomplishment begins with the decision to try. 

And thus I did, I tried, I tried and I tried again.

Tackled by our mid-year vacation I accepted reality and embraced the start of a new semester, my final semester as a third year FEDISA fashion student. And the count down begins.

What is to come,

Lets wait and see . . . 

Ashhhhhhh

FOREVER and FASHION <3


Image source: www.weheartit.com