Its been a while- heres the update!

The fabric finally arrived after lots of phone calls, lost deliveries and stress, so I just got on with. Painting and printing from 9 till 9. Assessing what prints were the bows and which were the main bodice, what normally determined the bows were unsuccessful prints due to lack of line quality, confusion and unsuccessful composition. The main bodice were successful due to clarity, refinement, variety and quality of line and composition.

PHOTOGRAPHY- cubiqdesign photographed my work for me in their professional studio. I was very pleased with the results as vibrancy of colour and fluidity of print translates across in the photographs.

STUDIO G- 2 very long days later there were all finished and I had managed to do 9, so headed off to studio g to show Glen my prints, he said they were fresh and vibrant. And later accepted my work to go to NY and LA tradeshows as a freelance designer for studio g.

Boards

MOOD BOARD

The pictures taken by cubiq have a slight grey background and need to be retaken by louise in the photography studio with softer light. Ive been working on boards and realised once completion that I needed to change it from landscape to portrait as it flows better in a portfolio. My sequence starts with a cover page- mood board- development boards- sample board- illustration board- collection. The mood board embodies all of the influential aspects to my collection and the colour story is prominent throughout, uniformity is also evident, giving it a strong identity. Im very pleased with the final outcome of my boards and my development with photoshop. Im also very pleased with the progress made on my sketchbook and annotation. Im learning that consistency is crucial.

Downer

Today I was challenged with lots of issues, have overcome most of them:

FABRIC, the silk satin looks so much better than silk twill and silk cotton, it retains the vibrant colour, has a gentle rich tactile texture to it which illuminates a lush indulgence, proving that the silk satin triumphs over the other fabrics. Noticing this weeks ago ordered with Whaleys the silk satin fabric but due to a burglary my order was not noted, so i bought some but it had a polyester finish therefore the dye did not hold to the fabric. Ordered some today with the uni from Whaleys, so I'm hoping it will be there by Thursday so I can carry on with my printing.

BOWS, following on my tutors remarks on the bows I started to produce constructed bows instead of the tied bows. But these look rigid and don't have the fluidity and natural element to them. The tied bows look better and fit with the design of my prints.

DRAWING, Today i focused on drawing my designs as a collection. This is half way there but in my first two attempts I was using too much colour which looked loud and garish. The outline drawing is developed and looks stable, proportioned and emotional, I will present the colours in a delicate way as to not overpower the design.

These were my struggles today and I'm hoping by Thursday the fabric will be delivered for printing, and will look on everything with fresh eyes, this will hopefully re-inspire and motivate me.

Dyslexia session on Dissertation

After my Dyslexia session I left feeling like alot of work needs to be done, I already knew this but I need to work on other aspects too, like my writing styles, paragraphic, academic references and ethnicity from the case-study.

My academic writing style needs to be seriously improved and she will de doing a series of exercises to help improve these skills. I felt like I was improving rapidly on this area with all of the editorials I'm writing for the magazine, however the style is colloquial not academic.

I also restructured my dissertation with paragraphs and created an additional section to allow more historical academic referencing. The appendix section was clarified and further explained, I am able to move some material into this area allowing more space to tackle the question.

Next week I'm tackling an area called ethnicity. Not too sure what its all about so will raid the library to have some knowledge on this subject.

The outcome was generally positive from my first draft, but my writing needs to have more clarity and I need to write in an academic style . The tutor commented on my concept and paragraphs saying they were very good but needs to have the 'academic quality' to it.

Review, Evaluate, Print, Sew- Job Done!

Evaluating some of my designs the animal prints are the most successful and I also need to keep my colour separate as they starting to all look similar. Central Image doesn't have the same

sense of power and status, my interpretation of animal skins looks vibrant, clarified and refined. The satin on the left looks far more beautiful than the silk twill, left. Which is essential to the appeal of my designs.

Noticing that the animal prints have the most impact and my colour use is looking the same and need to keep the colours separate instead of using all of them. I printed and part constructed a top with georgette in the middle, and recreating a print from the sk

etch book using masking tape to section strips out and then painting back in, using a hint of purple to give a punch and variation. The georgette also give variation whilst enhancing the linear design.

By constantly reviewing, evaluating and referring to my print work and sketchbook I can ensure that the collection is looking refreshing, vibrant, feminine and variable.

Construction Time

The construction went better than expected, 2 tops were constructed on Thursday and the marriage of fabrics looks powerful.

IMAGE: (left)The bow and straps are a rich, dark painted style of leopard spots both printed on silk cotton with. A hint of dusky green combined with aqua blue, black and grey in a connected spot design which creates a flowing, feminine yet powerful concept.

The method of construction:

• Cutting 2 pieces of fabric in the same rectangle shapes then painting onto the back of a screen to create by designs before squighing through the paste to imprint the design on the fabric.
• Selecting the top and straps before cutting and sewing the straps together in a tube creating a slopping angle at the bottom to heighten drama and elegance. Then Pulling it through and pressing, I then refer to my pattern to cut the straps at different lengths.
• Overlock the main bodice in a neutral colour.
• Refer to pattern marking for intercession at top of bodice, cut, press sides slightly in then stitch in purple.
• The loop at the top of the bodice is double folded whilst pressing then stitched in purple.
• Turn up the h
  
  em, deciding if it needs to be double stitched or singularly all in purple.

IMAGE:(right) This top marries alligator skin with a

human skeletal system, the straps, hem and bow being inspired from the skeleton, printed on georgette, the alligator skin being the main body in a lush satin, both created in my signature style of colourful engertic painting. This one is the most successful due to the rich colouring being enhanced by the satin, the satin also creates a delicate fluid movement. The print design in the main body is very rich and beautiful which generates the success.

I need to purchase some more satin as it enhances the procion inks.

The hem on this design was part of the georgette skeleton to give more length and variation, as I can foresee my designs being too similar in style, so will be re-creating and and varying the options of construction to give definition and enhancement to each design.

nktbe magazine

Ive been doing alot of nktbe magazine recently:

Writing the media pack

for prospective clients, i also had to research the competitors pricing which was hilarious.

Ive been writting the sales letters for both magazines.

Restaurant review, sampling and experiencing Bang Bangs a new sexy sausage and mash restaurant in Bury St Edmunds.

Styling and selecting for clothing for editorials from the local boutiques also running the photo-shoots for those editorials.

Writing various fashion editorials for both men and women advising on current trends and styling, also investment buys.

Running around handing out the winter guides to drop off points in Newmarket and Bury St. Edmunds (which I wrote by the way)

I've als

o been writing the blogs for their webpage, IMAGE: left is from the blog page on the winter guide.

I'm also the new resident Style Stalker where Im on the streets taking pictures of stylish people.

Still loving it, www.nktbe.co.uk/ www.velvetmag.co.uk