GOODBYE BLOG!!

So deadline is tomorrow, time to say goodbye!

I've quite enjoyed the whole blogging experience, as it is a good way of working out my thoughts when I've got things on my mind. But I find it hard to do so on a regular basis which might let my blog down?..

I'm not really sure what exactly we're meant to put on here, whether its more about the general day to day stories about the course, or about things that inspire us, or just for major issues that arise that in particular strike me to write about. I guess it's all three but I find myself wanting to do just the latter. I feel silly blogging things like "today we did such and such" and find it hard to stick to a routine blogging session, like every week or something, as some weeks are just a bit general and not very interesting! And I would often find myself repeating the kind of things that I would put into my sketchbook.

However, I'm glad we were given the option of a blog rather than the visual diary like in previous years, as it makes a much more accessible way (for me anyway) to note down my thoughts and feelings. And I find that the internet is becoming so much more of a relevant source in my projects and personal development and inspirations, that it is really good to have it all there in one place, as opposed to having to dig out a diary, stick things in etc etc, thats just not for me!

I'm thinking about continuing my blog, in the second year especially as we will probably have to anyway! But perhaps even after I've finished next year, noting the key experiences and events that might occur in my future fashion career! As I think it would be a really nice thing to look back on in years to come.

So... bye for now!!

Loving Sportswear!

We are well and truely into this project now but I just wanted to say that I am absolutely loving it, still! So happy that this has been a great brief for the rest of the year.

My project is based around the footwear aspect of sportswear, focussing on high-top trainers, in particular those of the U.S brand Supra, which I plan on using for my collaboration.

Had my toile review last week and it all went really well. I came well prepared with samples so they could have a clearer idea of my designs, which paid off as there weren't too many questions that needed to be asked and they seemed really pleased with my toiles. I am gutted that I forgot to take any photos of my model wearing them! But she can hopefully come back into the studio and model them for me again soon so that I can take some for my sbk, and will put them on here if I get time.

As for the whole B&M/Design debate, I am definately going to choose Design next year. I have always thought since my A levels that this would be what I would do anyway, but since the B&M sessions I became a little confused, as I do enjoy them both. But from comments and advice given from either sides I have definately decided on Design. It's what I love and although I could maybe see myself as a Buyer, Design is what inspires me and drives me more! And I've heard from various sources that even though their degree was in Design they have still ended up in B&M, so I'm not too worried about making the wrong decision in regards to career options anymore.

On|Off at London Fashion Week

Diary entries from my time at LFW dressing models for the OnOff catwalk shows...

Fri 20th
So I've packed my bags, (slippers being an essential item!) printed out maps, directions, tickets etc etc, all prepared for five days of Fashion Week and ready to walk down the road to catch the coach, National Express to Victoria. After a long and very packed coach journey we arrive in London at around 7pm. Time to walk to the hostel.. Beforehand I Google-mapped the directions which said it would be about a 40 min walk from Vic. After bearly being able to walk 15 mins down the road from Wallisdown to the Uni we decided to get the tube in order to cut walking distance, although shortly after I was wishing we had just walked.. suitcases, stairs and escalators are not a good mix! Anyway, we get to South Ken tube stop and try to find our way from there.. turns out Google has the wrong address stored for the hostel and so gave us the wrong bloody directions!! We must have spent over 2 hours walking round in circles trying to find this god damn place, tired, hungry and aching muscles from suitcase lugging! But looking on the bright side, the WRONG directions took us to a rather nice little cobbled street filled with posh flats and expensive cars parked outside, which was just lovely so we had to take photos.

Eventually we arrive at the hostel, and by now it had got quite late so had to creep in quietly and un pack. We realise that the dorm is actaully 'mixed' i.e males and females all in one room, which was a bit uncomfortable, but the hostel's policy on this is 'you get what you pay for' like it or lump it! Time for bed as had to be up at 5am!!

Sat 21st
Horrible night's sleep on a lumpy bed so now my muscles are aching even more! Surpisingly I wake before my alarm at half 4 so decide to just get up and give myself good time to get ready (in the dark, as not to wake strangers!) Today was for unloading and setting up at the Science Museum which was yet more strain on the muscles! Once everything had been set up there was quite a lot of waiting around, which was a little boring, but we had been told to expect a bit of this so I was prepared and brought a couple of magazines with me. At the end of the day we were given a briefing to tell us all what to expect and look forward to which was quite exciting and geared me up a bit more for the next few days! At the end of the day back at the hostel we find out that it is being host to another fashion showcase similar to OnOff, called Vauxhall Fashion Scout, promoting up and coming designers. We mangaged to sneak into one of the evening shows which was really cool!! It was the first show we had got to see since being in London so it was really exciting.

Sun 22nd
My group had the advantage of a nice lie in this morning and didn't have to be there until 11am, which was well needed after yesterday. But when I arrived the place was overrun with hair stylists, make up artists, designers and models, it was just crazy! So many people in such a small space. I felt a little out of my depth and didn't really know what to do, whether to linger around looking 'available' but not really doing anything, or to just keep out of the way. I decided to hang back in the 'room of doom and gloom' as I like to call it, as later that day, we were practically banished there for over four hours with nothing to do, as the designer schedualed at the time had brought their own team of dressers and didn't need any of the OnOff crew. Was very disappointing, not to mention boring, luckily I took a good selection of mags with me that day! At around 7pm we finally got our first peice of the action, (much awaited after hearing about the other group's eventful day of 2 shows worth of dressing!) we get assigned a model for the Sado show. I was quite excitited as Sado was one of the designer's I had researched and highlighted as one that I wanted to see, but by now I was quite nervous as I didn't know what to expect from the models, whether they'd be warm and friendly or steriotypical divas! But I think I was more nervous about 'doing anything wrong' and looking completely incompetent infront of what could be an experienced proffessional model and stylist, quite possibly even the designer. When I got there and introduced my self to the model and stylist they were both very friendly. The garments were hanging on the rail ready to be put on. I mentioned that this was my first time dressing in case if I did look like I didn't know what I was doing they might understand a little! Looking back I think I was just working myself up with worry, making moutains out of molehills and thinking into it too much. On top of this I had a nightmare migraine due to taking some cheap sleeping tablets the night before (silly idea) from when I woke up, which didn't settle until we got back to the hostel that night, so it really did not help my nerves and emotions! I did feel a bit silly coming away from it all that day and convinced myself that I just have to relax, not worry so much about what people might think and whether I'm doing things wrong, when it comes down to it it is simply helping someone to get dressed, not rocket science! Anyway, dressing the show was pretty cool. I didn't have the most challenging outfit to dress but I'm sure that from the other side they all would have looked fab. Here's my model in the top and skirt and another outfit that I liked from the Sada show.

Mon 23rd

This morning we were dressing for Olivia Rubin, another designer which I was really excited about, but most of all I wanted to experience this one as I really loved what I saw from her website. I had the same model today which was nice as it meant we could chat and I was able to gain an insight into the life of a model. I couldn't believe she was only 17 but she'd been modelling for 3 years already! She had to give up her studies in order to persue it as a career. It facinates me as it's just so crazy, but I love finding out about it. The clothes she had lined up today were really exciting, and there was an outfit change involved so I was excited about this, yesterday seemed all a bit too easy and didn't really get the blood pumping! I could tell today was going to be different. We had a small problem with the leather gloves for one of the outfits, the buttons wouldn't fit through the holes! But it was ok because they got us stuck in really early with the fittings so there wasn't a mad panic like usual, and we had time to sort out any problems with the clothes while the stylist approved the rest of the looks. It didn't click until afterwards that Olivia was there with us confiring with her stylist and organising the garments to match the models. At first I thought she was a stylist but then I heard her name being called and realised it must be her! It was really cool to see the designer in the flesh and experience how they work during the show of their collection. I didn't expect her to be quite so young either. She was really well dressed and laid back, surprisingly! I think this is also the reason I didn't first of all recognise her to be the boss. However by now I suppose she would have had quite a bit of experience showing her collections each season and would be well prepared. But I really like her as a designer as I think her age and style, which reflects through in her designs, give something fresh to young yet sophisticated women.

In the meantime Pam Hogg was showing this morning!! We were so lucky in being able to watch this show, as we weren't needed backstage. It was amazing!! The clothes were just so wacky and the finale dresses were awe-inspiring. Not forgetting to mention the number of celebrities modelling for her and those sat in the front row to watch (Jamie Winstone, Daisy Lowe, Alice Dellal as models, and Alfie Allen, Peaches Geldof, to name just a few!) I would love to put some photos of the show on here but there's just too many!

In the evening we were dressing for OnOff Presents.. which is a number of shows in one promoting who they (the OnOff team) think are going to be the next big thing. I was dressing for costume-trained designer Rachel Freire, who's designs were very out there! But I loved them! The colour palette of the garments was nude and neutral with flashes of reflective fabric, used to make stirrup-type leg peices. The models were also made up with this reflective material put onto their eyebrows! And one girl was backstage for hours having these massive hair-horns attached to her head! It all added up to what I can only imagine was an amazing show. I must say though, it was incredibly hectic and unprepared, but this was only to be expected. I think this was the first time Rachel Friere has shown her work in an environment like this. She seemed quite young too so I imagine she is a recent graduate. But she pulled it off brilliantly none the less!

Tues 24th - LAST DAY!!

I was quite glad that today was the last day, it was a big sigh of relief to think it was nearly time to go home! But this morning we were dressing for Josh Goot, who was showing off-site in Covent Garden, so we had to be there at 6am ready to set up!! Not nice! But what made things nicer was later on that day we got to meet Josh and he was so nice. He was really informative and would get us involved as much as possible, actually talking to us (which was a first out of all the designers we had dressed for.) His organisation backstage was IMPECABLE!! Made a very nice change from back at the Science Museum! I could tell he's an ultimate perfectionist, but then all good designers are! I think you have to be in this business. Anyway, apart from doing the outfit changes in this tiny corridoor with photographers and camera men snapping away, people shouting, basically everyone was going crazy! So apart from that it all went smoothly and was a really good show to experience backstage. We finished at around lunchtime but still had to go back to the Science Museum at 6pm to de-rig... urgh. This took about 3 hours and we were all sooo worn out physically and mentally! But afterwards we the had a little award ceremony with drinks and goody bags which was nice. There was also talk of the opportunity to do Clothes Show London, if we wanted to do it again... Do I???? I'm not too sure.

It was an incredible experience, I think I would probably do it again as I really enjoyed the 'Fashion' atmosphere and seeing all the designers and garments up close. But I just spent far too much money on accomm and travel, and just being able to live for 5 days! So living down here I don't think it's really do-able on a regular basis, which is a shame. However, if I lived in London I'm sure it would be a different story!