Monday 23 May 2011

Catalogue

So not the best scan but I really like the page layouts in this book that I bought in NY last year 'City Style' and am getting some ideas for the textile catalogue from here.

I like the image filling the whole page here with the column of text down one side...


A Desert State

Menswear collections are all about telling a story and thus for the Spring/Summer 2012 collection I had to design for Rick Owens my story was one of survival in the desert; fighting off the dark and dangerous elements. The collection has a very textural feel to it from stiff crushed coated fabric, to snakeskin leather.






For my textile collection I have chosen to develop embroidered textiles that are inspired by the dry cracked desert ground.

Saturday 7 May 2011

The Black Dress






Design by Alexandra Lawrie. Black Wool Chiffon couture dress.

All images will remain the copyrights of the photographer. Preferred contact is via email at the address of jcmudflower@gmail.co

Fashion Fest

With Australia Fashion Week just passed it has been a busy week for fashionistas all over Sydney. While I didn't make it to any shows this year (have been locked away doing assignments for weeks)I have spent plenty of time flicking through the Spring/Summer 11/12 collections on Vogue.com and all my favourite fashion blogs. Though my spirits are a little low at the moment and I feel a pushed to the absolute max, looking at the shows makes me realise that this hard work will pay off and it will be the most exciting and full-filling moment one day to see one of my own collections down the runway on the beautiful models at Australian Fashion Week.

Here are some of my picks of the week...

E L L E R Y




Josh Goot



Therese Rawsthorne




Monday 4 April 2011

Textiles of the Future

While researching for my advanced textiles essay (my topic being about 3-dimensional textiles) I came across this recent technique being used to create fabric. It's a 3D printer! The process work by laser printing layer upon layer building up to create an object or fabric or whatever has been programmed into the computer, pretty cool. It can be custom made to fit a certain body or shape by putting the measurements into the computer. The printer has already been successful in printing objects and things like bags and shoes, but the technology is still being developed for fashion. One day, people are going to be downloading the latest fashion from the next and printing it at home in 3D form ready to wear!


Here are some examples of 3D printing from the comapany Freedom of Creation





Luxury Fabrics







Last week for my subject Advanced fashion textiles we visited a textile supplier in Paddington called South Pacific Fabrics. Saw some of the most beautiful and innovative fabrics that I'd ever seen before. Many were very luxurious having been imported from France and Italy. Pity about the slightly high cost, some of them over $1000 per metre.

Monday 21 March 2011

Simple Sander

Jill Sander's Spring 2011 was simply perfect. A minimalist approach and vibrant colour palette pulled together beautiful collection. I love the juxtaposition of the simple white t-shirts with big, long skirts!






Wish upon a Dandelion



I know that the saying goes 'wish upon a star' but when I was a kid I personally loved going and finding a pretty little dandelion to pick, taking a big breath as I thought about my dreams and blowing the dandelion into the wind with my wish...




Monday 14 March 2011

Homebrand

One of my favorite home grown Australian Labels at the moment is Karla Spetic. I love her use of pastel colour palettes and soft tailoring. She often has unexpected prints such the photographs of outback Australia, which she used onto skirts, dressed and jackets in the last Spring/Summer collection. In her most recent Autumn collection she has collaborated with a young local illustrator for some of the prints, supporting up and coming designers! I feel her style is sophisticated yet also has a quirky side to it and the other thing that appeals to me about the brand is that it is wearable. I also think that her label and branding is interesting. Manning Cartell and Jayson Brunsdon are another two Australian labels I like that have interesting branding. 


Sunday 13 March 2011

I'm with the Band


Music can be a powerful and inspirational tool for many people. Depending what I’m doing and where I am, music keeps me going and keeps me happy! Recently I re-watched one of my favorite films Almost Famous and re-loved it all over again. It’s about a teenage boy writing for Rolling Stone magazine that tours with an up and coming rock band in the 70’s. Also touring with the band is a group of girls (not groupies but ‘Band Aids’) who travel with the band not to sleep with them but for the love of music. There is something appealing and in a way romantic about the lifestyle of rock musicians on tour, particularly in this era. Also in relation to this romanticized image of musicians are Annie Leobovitz’ photographs while she worked for Rolling Stone magazine. I saw some of her beautiful photographs at her current exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. There is a rawness to the lifestyle of a rock band and certainly a sense of freedom when touring. 


Kate Hudson following the band for the love of music


Annie Leibovitz photograph of the Rolling Stones
Annie Leibovitz image of Patti Smith and her children