JW Anderson preview Topshop, Oxford street.

On Thursday the 14th February me and my friend were on the guest list for the JW Anderson preview at Topshop, Oxford Street. On arrival we were greeted with champagne, cocktails and a live DJ and got to shop the collection a day before sale. I rate the collection highly as each piece was unique in its own way and I love the fabrics used. There was a lot of denim and patent fabric used.  The collection was made up of separates with a loose fit to them. The colour scheme was monochrome with a hint lilac thrown in there. there was use of iconography with a dodo and his JW brand image. The prices range from £25 for a pair of sunglasses to £220 for a patent bomber jacket. After looking at the collection I bought a patent duffle bag which is bang on trend right now. I rate the collection highly. It was an amazing experience and hope I will experience similar events in the future!

Alexander McQueen

These pieces by Alexander Mcqueen are incredible. Each piece is so different and unique. My favourite of the six is the bottom left hand piece. The texture reminds me of the waves in the ocean, as does the blend of colours, it simply beautiful. It also reminds me of my anger sin, as experimenting on a mannequin resulted in the same effect

Oxfam

On a Monday afternoon I volunteer at oxfam. I decided to do this for my love of vintage clothing and accessories but also to gain experience in fashion retail in the hope of getting a part time job in fashion retail along side my fashion and clothing course. When working in oxfam I find all kinds of goodies such as handbags, jewellery and clothing. My favourite find by far is my Alexon dog tooth print jacket it's yellow and black and is an ultimate statement textiles piece. It looks great with black disco pants peplum top and dr martens for the dress down, but statement look, but it also looks good dressed up with a midi dress and studded Chelsea heels. Another great find of mine is a Pierre Balmain handbag which I got for just 3 pounds! It's my new favourite bag!

Fred Butler

These pieces by textiles designer Fred Butler are amazing! I am really drawn to these pieces for the retro vibe they give. The colours and shapes remind me of the famous historical Mondrian piece. The lines remind me of the sin envy that I researched as they are repeated like the feathers on the wings of the eagle connoting freedom. I would wear these pieces myself because of the statement they make.

Piet Mondrian art work

The volume on this Fred Butler piece reminds me of the sin anger, the sharp edges and straight lines remind me of the phrase "sharp tongue" during an argument. The colours on the other hand remind me of sloth as they are quite dreamy colours.

Fred Butler is most definitely one of my favourite textiles designers, every piece is unique and quirky, making statements, which I like because it reminds me of my own sense of style. 

Textiles

When researching textiles pieces for inspiration for my own work, I came across this neck piece. I absolutely love it! The volume of the piece is what attracts me as well as the different textures and components. The textiles designer is unknown but I love their work.

 

I also found this piece. What I like about it is the layers and gathering. Its unique. I really like that it's almost like a collar and would make a statement to any garment. When researching in to my sloth  thread, the shape development ended in layers of clouds and this reminded me of it.  

This piece is my favourite. I really like the way the designer has manipulated the fabric in to roses because I have a great passion for roses. The pearls emphasise the beauty. This work reminds me of the sin anger I am looking at because of the way it's tightly compact, when somebody is angry they are tense and tightly wound up.

Wrath

The most recent brief we have been given at college is inspired by the 7 deadly sins, wrath, envy, lust, gluttony, sloth, greed and pride. The first thread I worked on was wrath. I chose an angry story line from the news. I chose the story about Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani girl pleading for education for women in Pakistan but was then gunned down by a Taliban gunman. I chose this story because of the passion behind it. I then took the story for my inspiration for the theme wrath.

The image above shows my trail of thought visually.

I focused on the fractured skull.

I enlarged the image of the skull and made it into a pattern piece which I cut out of calico, i then modelled on the stand, and the outcomes are seen below.

Lace making

During a workshop at college we learnt how to make lace. First off we started by setting up a domestic sewing machine and removed the foot. We then placed wash away fabric in to an embroidery hoop and pulled it tight. We then placed the hoop and fabric under the needle and lowered the needle into the wash away fabric. Once this was done we gently pressed on the foot pedal and freely moved the hoop creating a desired pattern here was my final result. We then placed it in warm water waiting for the fabric to dissolve and place it on paper to dry I think kit was unsuccessful as I was creating rose buds but I'm happy with it as it was my first attempt.