Internship begins...

So if a little overdue, I'm now very much into my placement with MG, which I began in December last year. Learning lots about the luxury fashion sector and what a job within that entails. As interns we are considered very much a part of the team and have regular opportunities to contribute ideas and suggestions. It's great to be as involved as this to gain the best possible experience from my placement. Hoping to get more involved in some Lectra pattern design, which I think is likely to take place over the next few weeks, as things begin to relax a little after the recent LFW madness/aftermath!! See some pictures of the Maria Grachvogel Autumn/Winter 2011 collection below...

Images: www.londonfashionweek.com

Many a late night was spared in preparation for the show, tirelessly handstitching, altering and tweaking hemlines and such like, ensuring the collection is as perfect as can possibly be. But seeing the final production in all its glory, with its rave reviews, makes it all worthwhile in the end :)

I loved the eery inspirations for this collection, and the slightly gothic make-up styling. Here are some of my favourite looks...

Images: Mark Falk

Competition Winner!!

So after a few weeks in limbo, waiting to hear back from the competition, my tutor reveals to us that our course has a successful candidate who has reached the shortlistings - moi! :)

A few days later I was invited to Maria's studio to be interviewed by herself and Rose Wilson, the commercial manager for the brand. It was quite a nerve-racking hour or so, as they reviewed my work and grilled me on my submission!

Assuming they liked what they saw...! I was informed by my tutors a day or two later that I had won the competition!! And I was set to join them for the prized internship :)

Some other articles found on the net... Click on the image to read the full articles.

My Competition Entry: The 'Maria' Dress...

'Maria Grachvogel for Lectra Award 2010'...

As mentioned below, as part of my project, I designed one of the dresses from my collection to be put forward for the 'Maria Grachvogel for Lectra Award 2010'. The brief being to...

'supplement a design for a dress as part of the Maria Grachvogel Spring/Summer 2011 collection. You will need to present the following components:

1. A technical sketch of the design (using Kaledo Style)

2. A pattern for the dress (using Modaris)

3. A marker(s) for the dress (using Diamino)

4. A technical spec to include measurements and making/finishing instructions (using Kaledo Style)

5. A final toile for the dress

The young talent displaying the most outstanding idea will be awarded a year's internship at Maria Grachvogel'

Collection Sketchbooking...

Pages from my sketchbook...

Project: 'Delicately Deco' 2010

Collection 2010

A few catwalk images from my 2nd year collection. Inspired by Art Deco shapes, interiors and architecture, with one dress to be submitted for the Maria Grachvogel design competition..

My ideal first job

POSTS BELOW WERE MAINLY TASKS CARRIED OUT FOR MY UNIVERSITY COURSE ASSESSMENT, AND TO DOCUMENT THE PROGRESS OF PROJECTS ETC.

This is the kind of job description that would ideally appeal to me, i think?, as a fashion graduate.

5 min presentation

A very long while ago back in the first term, we were set the task during a PPRD session to produce a 5 minute presentation, to include details about where we are now, what has got us here and where we intent to go from now.

I did in fact take the time to produce a lovely powerpoint presentation of my own, but typically, as it was such a long time ago..! the powerpoint has been swallowed up into infinity and is somewhere on my old computer (which conked out a few months ago, and has been replaced with a spanking new gem of an acer :) so no powerpoint slides to show im afriad!) I've tried to remember what was on there, nothing thrilling, just a bit of background I spose. And the 5 yr plan below probably backs up what was on the powerpoint a bit better now anyway. I still have paper copy of powerpoint somewhere, if desperately need to see it!! But hopefully you remember it from the presentation session.

Branding & Self-promotion

As mentioned below, I intend to start up my own label, either sooner or later..

I have been thinking a little, I repeat "a little"!! about what my brand might be; my customer, ethos, style, etc. IT IS NO BUSINESS PLAN.. yet!! Just a little something to get me on my way, whether its for real or just thinking about the branding for my final crit.

My would-be business card...

I chose this font for the Pippa branding as I think its simple and stylistic, sophisticated but with a fun and funky element to it, a bit like the clothing range!

Anyway, needs work but just a few initial ideas.

5 Year Plan.. eek, scary!

Task as set in PPRD2 powerpoint presention, always good to keep a 5 yr plan to stay focussed and on track!! Here's what I propose for myself in the next 5 yrs.. Subject to change..!

Gallery visits

As part of the PPRD2 unit I have to report on recent exhibitions that I have visited. I have been to a number of galleries/exhibitions over the past 2 terms and have gained a lot from them. Here are some of the ones I found the most interesting...

Lette Fein fashion students exhibition, Berlin

On a recent trip to Berlin with uni, we were fortunate enough to get to visit an exhibition of students work from all three years of the fashion course at the Lette Fein insitute of Art, Berlin. It was really inspiring. I was amazed at the standard of work from all three year groups, and surprised to see not only final yr student's exhibiting but also work from 1st and 2nd yrs were on display, and the standard of all of these were high. I was so impressed with students' illustration abilities, their fashion drawings were incredible! (see pic below) It made me really want to practise and improve on my own illustrations, I went straight out of the exhibition and across the road to the students' local art materials supplier and bought myself a load of art pens, the same kind that they use! In hope that maybe I can work on producing something as good as what I saw in the exhibition!! Another benefit from the visit was lots of ideas for ways of presenting my work for final assessment or for the fashion show, in a sleek and professional manner.

Royal College of Art MA Grads @ V&A

On a trip up to London recently to view the ShowStudio exhibition, I also made time to stop off at the V&A to see if there were any interesting exhibitions going on there, and there was! I took lots of pictures as the design ideas were amazing - very orginial and pushing boundaries. I also saw some of their sketchbooks and they had used some really interesting illustrative styles and ways of laying out.

Brohan Museum, Berlin

Also whilst in Berlin I made a concious effort to visit the Brohan Museum as it is the state museum for Art Nouveau, Art Deco and Functionalism. I found some great things in there, did lots of sketching, as photos were not allowed (although I was very naughty and snuck out my camera..!) because I saw the most amazing upholstered chair which struck me instantly. I loved it because it featured the fan shapes that I have been using in my designs, but it had a padded/ quilted surface to it. I saw it and instantly gave me the idea to do something similar for my garments, instead of them being flat pieces, i wanted to pad them out and give it a more 3 dimensional structure. When i got home i began toiling and sampling this idea straight away! (see pics of said art deco chairs above!)

Deco-licious!!

A little bit about my Professional Project...

I have come to realise that my creative style tends to take on quite a structured and architectural form, and I am fascinated by shape. I wanted to develop in this style so I decided to use Art Deco as my reference point. I love the bold shapes and form of art deco design, wether it be furniture, architecture, sculpture, pottery, etc. I also love the geometric shapes and patterns found within these forms.

I have been inspired constantly throughout my research, for garment shape, texture and also for print ideas, which I would ideally like to incorporate into my garment designs. However, as I am now well into the construction and toiling stage, I am finding it hard to set aside time to work on any use of print, as my garment designs require quite a lot of technical work to construct successfully.

Here's a few images that have really inspired me towards my final outfit designs.

Blog neglect. Again.

I admit I am rather poor at blogging, I find it actually takes me quite a long time to write a post! But thought as I am off ill at home today (missing out on all the styling fun at uni, boo hoo) thought I'd do a bit of a catch up..

SO.. new term - new project - COLLECTION! yay

Brief: Maria Grachvogel Lectra competition
Inspirations: Art Deco architecture/furniture/general

The brief is to submit a dress design & toile only (not the finished piece) for the MGV SS11 collection. Quite broad in a sense, but I'm guessing the dress should in effect be MGV style, eg: take reference from her creative style and put your own mark on it. I admire MGV's label for its sleek and classic look. Her designs are super feminine and her goal is, quote, "to make a woman feel like a goddess". I have been doing a bit of background research and am finding I'm falling more and more for the brand each day!

Thurs 14th Jan: MGV Shop Visit

I set off on a treck to London in search of anything Art Deco along with a pit stop at the MGV Sloane Street boutique. The sales advisors were really great in there and really helpful. They gave me loads of information and let me take photos, as well advising me to try various things on! They suggested a couple of catsuits for me to try, (MGV'S signature piece) then they brought up some past season dresses which were stunning!! I must say my favourite was the Tribal print dress - amazing! It really helped get a feel for the MGV ethos by wearing some of the garments, as they really hug your figure and ceartainly make you feel all woman!! haha. However, I do feel I need to grow at least another ft, either that or these dresses are definately meant to be worn with killer heels!

Also.. some of my Art Deco architectural findings from various London hotspots!

Not quite sure if the church is very Art Deco, but I still quite like the lines and shapes!