Final Design

This is my final design. I developed this design by adding seams to visually represent the angles inspiration, the seams also were added for an extra tight fit and to show the contours of the body. The collar and shoulder have been sharpened and lengthened, and piping has been added around the lapels to give a clean, sharp and tailored look. The piping on the lapels is black silk, contrasting the matte fabric choice of the collar. The back of the garment wraps over, taking further inspiration from the tailored dinner jacket and creates a natural split. I am now ready to manufacture my design, my first thoughts were OH MY GOD. But thankfully I found a way of working it out.

Design Development

I developed my initial design by taking more inspiration from a tailored dinner jacket. I sharpened the angles of the shoulder silhouette and shortened them in length to experiment with different shapes. I then added a dinner jacket inspired collar (with lapels) on to the back of the garment. I like the idea of lapels at the back, but they weren't as sharp as I wanted. The collar stand is now visible as a neck piece at the front. I will use red silk for the collar stand to tie in my original theme, lust.

Initial Design

This is my initial design, influenced by angles, tailoring and power. The deep V featured on the back of my design was inspired by a dinner jacket collar. The shoulder silhouette was inspired by the shoulder pads used in power dressing from the likes of Margret Thatcher. This is my first attempt at designing a visionary garment. I am happy with the result but would like to develop it further.

Target Market

My customer is a 25-35 year old woman, working behind the scenes in the music industry. She is single, has no children and lives in lively Camden Town, London. She takes a maximum of 2 holidays a year to the Caribbean to relax from her hectic schedule. She wears size 8-10 and shops at designer vintage stores around the city. She shops on impulse and has her own unique style, she is not trend driven or brand loyal. She will buy outfits for occasions such as album launch parties or award ceremonies. Her spending bracket is £500 -£2000. Her favourite designers are Alexander McQueen and  Gareth Pugh. She reads Kerrang, NME, Q, Vogue and Dazed and Confused. She admires Michael Jackson, Tom Jones and Amy Winehouse as they are highly respected in the music industry.

Fabric choice for final garment

After researching fabrics on Goldhawk road during my trip to London I decided that none of the fabrics I found were Suitable for my design. So I contacted a London soho fabric shop, The Berwick Street Fabric Shop and requested further samples. The samples I was sent were much more suitable for my design but way out of my price range as most were £59 per metre!
The fabric I finally decided on a bulletproof fabric as its strong, thick, heavyweight and slightly stretchy which is perfect for my design. I was shown this fabric by a lecturer and was supposed to cost around £25 a metre, but I bought it through college so it only cost £3 per metre, BARGAIN!

80's inspired shirt dress

During the last few pattern cutting sessions in College we have been working on manufacturing a shirt dress. After making the pattern I had an idea to use colour blocking and 80's inspiration. I chose the colours, neon yellow, hot pink, vibrant orange, silky teal and contrasting purple. I decided on these colours because they complimented each other. I used poppers as an easy open fasten. I am planning a photo shoot inspired by the 80's. Watch this space!
Below are a few images of the final outcome.

Trip to London 30.3.13

On the 30th march 2013 I went to london in search of fabric and inspiration towards my final garment at college. I went with the thought of tailoring,angles and sharpness. Along with a cheeky trip to Brick Lane. When walking through London I found 2 inspiring things. One was a lampshade and the other architecture outside London euston station. The angles and lines were exactly what I was looking for.
After visiting Goldhawk Road for fabrics shops, I went to Brick Lane. It's my favourite place ever! I love vintage fashion it adds character to an outfit and gives individuality. After exploring Brick Lane for 6 hours, I came away with a beautiful pair of vintage, studded Dr Martens, gold hoop earrings, a neon blue beanie hat, (which is bang on trend!) and rounded sunglasses.