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.

Pinterest

Just set up a new account on Pinterest.com. It's a great website to catalogue the things I love. From furniture, to art, to fashion; it's all there!

Have a little peek http://pinterest.com/its_katrina/

Fashion Icons turn their hand to designing

Whenever I think of fashion icons (or celebrities) I often think of them as wearing designer frocks and not doing a lot else. But the reality is more different than I thought. Various celebrities are turning their polished hands to designing clothes; and items that we might actually want to buy! Victoria Beckham is the most well known , but others include Nicole Richie, the Olsen twins and Sienna Miller.


You Magazine (Daily Mail) have published this in their latest Sunday Mail magazine, and the designs are surprisingly wearable. My personal favourite is by Savannah and Sienna Miller for their label Twenty8Twelve. It's such a simple design, but in the busy fabric and interesting neckline, the shape really works. It's definitely something I could see myself wearing!

   

 Other favourites include Victoria Beckham's range of structured work wear(far left) and Nicole Richie's hippy bohemian style of dresses (left).

Jewellery is a girl's best friend

Working in a jewellery and accessories shop is great  fun, but also bad for the bank statement! I've also been shopping around for some real statement pieces. I've come across a few that really caught my eye, although some might involve saving up for them!

These are some huge carved hyacinth studs that I just can't keep my eyes off. They're only £6 from Accessorize, but I'm a sucker for huge studs like these. I think I will definitely have to invest in some!

This just the most adorable chain and pendant. 

The tiny little robin is a perfect post Christmas treat to myself!

 This has to be my investment piece for this year. It's a more pricey addition to my collection of jewellery (£57) by Juicy Couture available on ASOS. It's perfect to add to a long gold chain or even to add to my charm bracelet. It's just beautiful!

I've only got into rings recently, but I love the shape of this one. It's just so different to anything I've really seen anywhere else. It looks like it would fit so comfortably. It's another ASOS purchase, but it's creator was Stephen Webster. Lovely!

Spectacular Spectacles

I'm in the market for a new pair of glasses and I love these Diesel ones. I always go for square shaped ones because they suit my face the best, but I also love getting ones with an interesting pattern on the sides. These would be perfect!

These particular ones are from Vision Express. 

Animal Print.. love it or hate it

 So I've never really been convinced about animal prints, but I think because I keep seeing them everywhere, I'm really coming around to the idea! It was this that really convinced me.  

Alternatively, these are the brown heels I've been after for ages. They just look so comfy! But also, they would really make this outfit more dressy and perfect for an evening. So really, I'm trying to justify spending all this money because they outfit would be multifunctional.

 I thought it would go perfectly with a pair of either brogues or these lovely leather boots with thick wooly tights to keep the cold weather at bay! 

I'm in the mood.. for painting!

So yesterday I started my holiday project. I've had this horrible looking mirror in my room for a while, but never got round to doing anything with it. Until now! 

I've taken it apart and painted it a pale mint colour, which will hopefully go with my colour schemes at uni. The plan is to add a top coat of cream and then distress it by sanding off some edges to show the mint and then rub on some gold over the top! 

We'll see how it goes after work today. 

Let it snow

Taken from nothingbutsnowboards.com

I went tobogganing with my family the other day, and it got me thinking; I really want to learn to snowboard. Especially when there are so many cool boards you can get! It also got me thinking, it's the sort of thing
I could design and then apply to my board. Such a great way to show creativity. 


Taken from womenssnowboarding.org

Alpine Wonderland

So last year for my brother's birthday, I made him this alpine landscape. It was one of my first experiences on photoshop, so although he loves it, there are bits that I would change now I'm a bit more used to using it, but I suppose that is always going to happen as I learn more. It's going to be blown up and put onto canvas, it'll be exciting to see the final product!