RUNWAY: The Dropped Shoulder

After Church on a Sunday I usually end up roaming my local vintage market, and being a biker jacket freak, I always find myself eyeing up the construction of leather bomber jackets. One of the things that always catches my eye are the dropped shoulders, so it was a pleasant surprise to see designers such as Phillip Lim and Roksanda Ilincic include this style in their collections.

My favourite use of this style was the one by Prada.
I'm constantly trying to make the relaxed, sports look that is so comfortable to me more Ladylike, and with this shoulder style being more associated with sportswear, Prada managed to pull off this look with their choice of fabric (Duchesse Satin?), embellished shoulders, length and styling.

It's funny because it was only a few seasons ago that shoulder pads were THE thing, and don't get me wrong I love them as they work really well with my height and body shape, but I really like dropped shoulders and cannot wait to make a drop shoulder garment.

MODÉLISTE: Neoprene Dress

Sorry I've been MIA for a while, but I've been working on another collection as well as trying to figure out who I am as a designer which has made the process even more difficult for me.

Here's a garment I've been working.

I've always wanted to work with neoprene but (to my knowledge) it only made its way into the (cheaper)fabric shops a couple of years ago, so I decided I'd make this dress out of it to see how I'd like it.

My honest opinion? I'm in no hurry to work with it again. Unless I'm using the better quality neoprene I wont be using it as the fabric damaged too easily-but then it is probably says something about my sewing skills.

It has been pulled for a photoshoot, so if it makes the cut I will post the images up.

Beyonce x Harper's Bazaar

FILMSPIRATION: Drive

I don't really get the chance to watch films until the make their way onto SKY premiere, but when I saw the poster for Drive on the underground a few months ago I felt the urge to go and see it instantly without even knowing what the plot was.

It wasn't because of Ryan Gosling, it was because whoever was in charge of the wardrobe department did a freaking good job. As I'm the sort of person that will watch a film just for the wardrobe-with some of those films being 'Curious Case of Benjamin Button', ' The Royal Tenenbaums' and 'Clueless'-this flick looks like one I need to see especially seeing as Christina Hendricks features in it too.

Are there any films you like to watch purely for the fashion?

MODÉLISTE: Fitting Sessions

So as you read in my previous post I'm showing a collection at the end of this month, and I thought I'd give you guys a sneak peak of the making process of SOME of the outfits.

This is the toile I made for one of the looks which includes a jumpsuit. I know I've done jumpsuits before, but Diane Von Furstenberg has the wrap dress, Chanel has the jacket and Burberry has the trench coat. Jumpsuits are my thing, and it's the garment I get asked for/to make the most.

The purpose of fitting a toile is to see how the garment looks on the body, how the style lines look and to see what adjustments need to be made. I've made the toile out of a jersey that is much cheaper (money and quality-wise) and I can see that I need to reshape the neckline, tweak the arm holes as they are gaping big time and make it more fitted to the body for that second skin look.
It looks plain at the moment but I'm going to keep the colour palette, embellishments and finishing's quiet for now as I don't want to give away too much but stay tuned for the final outcome of this garment and more fittings for the collection.

Certified Fresh 2011

If you're in London on the 28th October 2011 and fancy a night out, you can come and see me (alongside other designers) show my collection at Certified Fresh at Battersea Arts Centre.
Click here for more info and to purchase tickets (it's more than a fashion show, there's a live make over, singer and much more plus a free afterparty) and if you are going to stop by, be sure to say hi, I'd love to meet some of you guys.