Final Illustrations

So these are the final illustrations I created for my Sustainable project in which I designed a range of menswear clothing in a Christopher Raeburn style for Marks & Spencer.

I'm really proud of what I achieved on this project, I learnt so much by practising and it all paid off in the end!

Shoes Included

As promised here is the next installment of Illustrations, even with shoes! I'm not a fan of drawing hands nor shoes, particularly not on Illustrator, but I have tried and succeeded, even with shade lines! Lovely. 4 down, 6 to go. I am on a roll with Illustrator this week. We are friends.

A work in progress

So after my last post I've been busy sorting out designs for the final collection of Raeburn for M&S.

It's been really interesting actually, I've had to keep the designs simple but still detailed enough to attract the younger M&S market.

These are the first two that I've been working on. The task is use Illustrator entirely. Tricky, but I'm already getting quicker! I don't think I'm much of an illustrator, but I'm pretty happy with how these have turned out so far. I'll keep posting other images when I've done them.

Now to the other 8 drawings I've got to do!

NonWoven - Creating quality with a 1950s inspired style

Again, it's been a while, but it's been a busy while for me! I've been designing, making amongst many other things one including an incident with a cup of coffee and my laptop.. the ironic thing being that I don't even like coffee! After much faffing, the laptop is working.

Anyway, back to fashion. Our Garment Technology project is coming to an end after months of research into nonwoven fabrics and their properties. Today I finally finished the jacket, pockets and all. It's made from dyed Lensing fabric, with felt for the pockets. It's taken a lot of hard work (and team work; thanks Lorna!) but we're finally there!

I'm so proud of what we've made, I think it really looks like a 1950s style jacket, and when it's put with the outfit it'll look amazing.

The final jacket - Japanese inspired pockets in red felt, outside seams and topstitched zips on double thickness cuffs. 

Marlon Brando, printed onto Lensing using transfer paper

The zips are stitched onto the outside of the garment following the 

constructed then deconstructed feel of the garment. 

The jetted breast pocket is deconstructed with the jets on the inside of the garment, with the pocket bag on the outside. The jets are constructed especially for nonwovens, using a different technique to normal jets. The pockets are constructed in the same stitch line as the pocket flaps, reducing unnecessary lines of stitching. 

Love it!

Slow Fashion

So, it's been aaages since I last posted, I can only apologise for that! My course is ridiculously busy, but I can now show what I've been spending all my time on! Here are a few pages from my latest project on slow fashion, promoting longer life to products to reduce the amount of waste that we produce. 

The research includes various topics relating directly to the customer but also to the wider environment of consumers. The Centre for Sustainable Fashion was researched for their work for a sustainable future in fashion. 

Christopher Raeburn is a popular new designer who designs clothing remade from recycled parachutes. His designs are structured and colourful, promoting the idea of sustainable clothing. 

Included in this research are new sustainable fibres that are becoming more and more popular in a textile market dominated by cotton and man made fibres. This includes jute, hemp and bamboo fibres which are all more sustainable than cotton. 

M&S are well known for their Plan A scheme that will ensure that they reach their sustainable goal in the mid-market range. I found this part really interesting, researching into a multi-national company that have taken a keen interest in sustainability. They have made over 100 commitments to providing a more environmentally friendly company for ethical buyers. 

Organic; this is often a misunderstood term regarding ethical values. However, combined with Fairtrade it can provide a more ethical and environmentally friendly product reducing the use of pesticides in the huge industry that provides cotton all over the world. 

Overall, the research resulted in a final project that involves creating a sustainable range of jackets by Christopher Raeburn for M&S. Alongside this, a range of shirts and jeans will be created to provide a full outfit for men aged between 25 and 34 looking for a sustainable choice in clothing. 

It's been a while..

So it's been a while since I've posted but I've got something good to discuss. We recently started a project at Uni about Sustainable Design. It's incredible to see how many designers out there are really concerned with using sustainable fabrics and processes that are not harmful to the environment. A few of my personal favourites:

Christopher Raeburn.

 I just love the shapes he uses and the "X-ray" feel that his lighter weight jacket have.

 The use of fabrics is inspiring; the designs are so wearable, but at the same time ideal for the ethical shopper looking for a longer term purchase. Definitely a feel good factor when buying!







EDUN.
This is another recent discovery, but again something I really admire. The mission of the brand is to reintroduce trade from Africa, providing vital income and training for those who need it most.

Started by Bono and his wife Ali Hewson, they manufacture almost all of their product in Africa providing safe working conditions and a fair price.

But again, the designs are beautiful. They have a ruggedness that reminds us of the African style, but at the same time they are considered and stylish. Perfect for that ethical shopper looking to change the world one step at a time.

The long awaited distressed mirror!

So I've finally got round to finishing my mirror. I'm really pleased with it and it works well with the rest of the furniture in my room too. I've had a lot of compliments on it too, success!

 This was the original mirror. I loved the shape of it, but the colour of the wood didn't really do anything for me, and it didn't go with my room either. So I decided to change it. I sanded it down and painted it a pale mint colour, then painted cream over the top. I then distressed it by sanding off some of the cream to show the mint underneath and then added gold over the top.

I was sparing with the gold because I wanted it to look antique but not over the top, but I think I managed to get a good balance in the end. It looks great on my dresser and really reflects the light from my window into the rest of my room.