More Indigo Fronts

More INDIGO fronts! So proud of these, i dont want do overlock the edges, i will just fold them, so i can make them into dresses if the print isnt sold!

Indigo Fronts

I have finished my first four fronts, thankgod, only 4 to go. A mixture (so far) of denim and silk. Denim necklines/collars with a silk drop. This probably isn’t a great example to show my fronts, but rather than just photographing them individually, which would lose their edgyness, i decided to photograph them all together, almost like a collage, so you get the general flow.

Bleaching and Layering Printed Silk

Me being a silly bugger, decided to try and bleach slight colouring out of the silk i have been using for front designs, i left it in for just a few minutes and it ate away at the silk leaving a slight discolouring and burn like effect along the blerached section of the silk. Although it was an accidental process, i have decided to layer up four of these coloured silks, all bleached at different levels and angles creating a layered, almost vintage effect, all four of these will be sewn into one front. I am not scared to sample and test out certain things and an adventerous process that was actually accidental, created something that i feel blends in with the distressed denim.

Patrick Ian Hartley

A fellow students BLOGSPOT http://marnie-amber.blogspot.com/, reminded me of one of my favourite lectures from earlier in the year. I left the lecture so inspired, but must have forgotten about it with all the stress of the work load. Patrick Ian Hartley!! FACIAL APPAREL! ‘FACE CORSETS’ - this may be a source i could look at when creating the Nuns ‘Habits’ and ‘Wimples’! i could look at corsetting, tightly pulled denim around the face, buckles etc. It doesnt have to look exactly like a nuns headpiece, the Nun was just the original source of inspiration, ideas DEVELOP!!

Turning My Summer Religious Illustrations Into Prints?

As i am using Nuns for prints in my Indigo collection and my FMP, i may decide to also mix in a few of my illustrations also, by enlarging them big enough to cover a dress, or a top. I think its a really good idea, as i am still printing strong female imagery, i just dont want NUNS to over rule my work. Even though its a running theme, i dont want to be known as the NUN man!

Indigo Collection: FALLING INTO PLACE

From my last post you can see i was contemplating whether i thought beading was a good idea or not. I’ve decided, in small doses, that it is a good idea. When seeing these collars (which contain clusters and a large amount of beads) on mannequins, they looked alot better than i thought and i am now even more excited than before. I just feel so happy with my progress, things seem to be falling into place. Alongside this project i am also doing little bits towards my fmp, taking notes, drawing ideas and collages, brought forward from this project, so you never know, these shredded, denim necklines/collars (inspired by gaga's MAGDALENE' headress/crown) might take part in my Final Collection ;)

Is Beading Really For Me?

As much as i love the final result of beading and the effect it gives edgy clothes, its taken sooooooooo long and its tiring. If i was to do this on many of the garments for my final collection, they definatley wont be finished on time. So by doing this now, its given me a rough estimate of what i can and cant accomplish. Its stressful and time consuming, i am just stuck on what to do, i wont to use studs, spikes and beading in my collection. This is just an example (from my indigo samples) of some of the beading i have done onto denim.

'I've Got A Bad Habit'

Lady Gaga 'DENIM OUTFIT' from Marry The Night Music Video

V Magazine Pushes The Limits with Gisele Bundchen:

I really love the cover and spread for this editorial. The provocative shredded denim that is shown throughout, and this one garment i fell in love with. A standard denim jacket with all the panels and fabric cut away and just left with the seams. I thought it was amazing, and tried it out quickly myself. Obviously i am not a glamourous model, and i havent glammed myself up for the photo, it was just a quick snap to show the idea. I left seam allowance so i can shred the edges, rather than having the fabric completely cut away and left the pockets on because i thought it was cute. I think something like this would look amazing over an over accessoriesed and over embellished garment, like a gown or shirt. As my collection will just be, or mainly be denim, i am just thinking of different ways to build up layers, this is one of my favoutrites so far.

Persona: by Jeffrey Wang

‘Persona’ by Jeffrey Wang, callaboration with Levi’s, Fubon Art Foundation and BLANQ. The main purpose of PERSONA was to use recycled denim jeans and create art pieces from it. keeping the “raw” personality of denim jeans and creating sculptures with it, without using any technical sewing skills or cutting or any fashion skills. I absolutley love this project. I AM IN LOVE WITH DENIM, and the use and recycling of fabrics. My FMP collection: i want to create many garments and outfits, not just the amount we are given in the brief, but as much as i can create in the time limit we’ll be given, then that way i can pick from a wider range and selection. I want to maybe create some garments from recycling and some sculptural pieces like this, but with the use of sewing and the technical fashion skills. I AM SO EXCITED and have already started to collect second hand jeans etc so i can start playing around. 

ON A ROLE,..

I have never been so intune with my subject before. I cant believe the amount of work i have created. I feel so much better now that we are free to work to our own abilities, still to a schedule, but not as tight as brief that would be given in lower years.
I am having alot of fun printing and testing out different techniques, on different fabrics, with all my different prints.This is the best way to learn new techniques and find out what works and what doesnt, i am continuously buying more and more fabric, but i dont mind, if you want to do well you can’t be too picky and you have to learn from mistakes, for what works and what doesnt. I dont think you can have a mind set of what you want without testing it first. Its a learning process.
Although i have all of these prints already, i still have many more in process and i am feeding them into my sketchbooks as i go.
I am so excited, and i cant wait to actually start making.
The only downside to this, is that i feel like i need to work on my construction, i used to be so good at it, but i have lost my flair slightly as it wasnt a continous subject through our first and second years, we only had certain briefs and modules with construction as part of the outcome.

Dissertation Draft Completed:

Why do effeminate gay men look up to celebrity females as idols and icons? (my question)
The introduction and the First chapter, are full of facts, quotes, and theories which i found very interesting and I also learned a few more things about the subject and had slight comparisons to my thoughts (when younger) with the theorist Karl Heinrich Ulrichs.
My second chapter, i didnt have much trouble writing at all, this chapter is in two parts, and covers two topics about Lady Gaga. Her place as a Gay Icon and the support she has given the gay community and the connection she shares with her fans.
My third chapter, also in two parts, contains information and breakdown topics between Britney Spears and Lady Gaga. The sexualisation of britney spears, and why the gay communtiy still find her alluring, although there is no sexual attraction.
In these two chapters on Gaga and Spears, my voice comes through alot and alot of the information is my own knowledge as well as that, of what i have read. I do feel slightly that i may have overstepped some points and the fact that i have written my own views (even though i havent used the words I, myself, me and so on).
I actually enjoyed this dissertaton draft because its somethign that means alot to me and its something i found interesting. I feel there are other facts i could of envolved but i am already over the wordcount by 2000 words and id idnt want to continue writing as it’ll be harder to break down, so hopefully once read and marked, i will be able to give the dissertation structure and meaning and recieve a good mark at the end of it.

Tom Binns Jewellery

I have always had a soft spot for over the top, punky jewellery. I LOVE SAFETY PINS, CHAINS AND STUDS. I was asked to look up this designer, and i was really impressed. I would like to create something like this for my FMP, to style up my garments. I dont think i can create something this good, but i can give it a go. EXCITEDDDDD!!!!!

Audrey Hepburn: The Nun's Story

I was told to watch this film, i am yet to watch it. It apparently has some amazing imagery and filmed very well and the story line fits in well with my ideas and prints.

Putting Colour and Prints into Line Up (once again, excuse the photoshop)

Fashion Of The Christ: Line Up

THIS IS THE LINE UP FOR MY FASHION OF THE CHRIST COLLECTION. A range of simple flattering shapes and a selection of different prints creating an edgyness and bold statements. -i just need to add some colour to bring the collection to life x You'll have to excuse the photoshopping, my computer doesnt show greyscal, so there are bits that need rubbing out, you may not be able to see the grey, but you may if u have a good computer screen

Discharge Printing

DISCHARGE PRINTING! This is one of my favourite techniques. Its very simple looking but can sometimes be a stressful process, because you never know which fabrics it will work on. I have already tried it on ‘classic’ denim, but the fabric seems to be too thick and just isnt taking very well.These images are discharge prints, onto discharge cotton. they have been very successful.

Screen Print and Painting on a Screen

Just a few of my samples so far, discharge printing onto denim, discharge cotton and painted silks.

DEVELOPING A COLLECTION

I feel i have a good flow of work this project. The large range of prints and the broad selection of fabrics gives me a good advantage on the direction the work is heading in. There is a mixture of controversial and commercial prints and many different techniques being used. I already have a large selection of samples done already. All different and unique. I have tried out many techniques such as Painting on a screen, which was really successful for the streaky/stripey effect that i am using - inspired by Francis Bacons Paintings and the Libertine collection Stripey Prints. I have also used Discharge Print over the top of the Painting on a Screen and also on Dischargable cotton, these were very successful. I have tried to discharge denim but it doesnt seem to work very well unless the denim has been dyed first. But as soon as i wash the denim, the discharge print seems to take some of the colour and the effect of the white print, then turns to different colour due to the dyed denim. I just have to find a way around this or one of my fronts just wont work. ITS ALL PART OF THE PROCESS. I am learning alot and i am extremely excited. I LIKE TO STAND OUT AND THATS EXACTLY WHAT I AM DOING!! BRING ON INDIGO!!

HANNAH MARSHALL SPRING SUMMER 2011

Bitching and Junkfood

 

The Online Shop Bitching and Junkfood is now one of my favourite shops ever. Its completely edgy and my style and slightly feeds in with my current project. I love it so much, it is slightly expensive but totally worth it!!

The ‘NUNS HABITS’ by Monroe

Promotional Statement for Indigo Collection

The Fashion Of The Christ:  Spring 2013

Collage prints inspired by Lady Gaga’s latest album ‘Born This Way,’ along side classic bold religious symbols including Crosses and The Crown of Thorns, with a sacrilegious twist. The collection will include Embellishments of studs and beads, simple silhouettes with a strong impact through controversial imagery and typography. The use of screen print and discharge print, onto denim, discharge black cotton and dyed vatellor sateen cotton. A colour story developed from Francis Bacon’s paintings of The Pope Series.

Femme Fatale

1. A woman of great seductive charm who leads men into compromising or dangerous situations.
2. An alluring, mysterious woman.

BRITNEY SPEARS FEMME FATALE TOUR WEMBLEY ARENA 31-10-2011

The Britney Spears ‘Femme Fatale’ Concert was amazing. One of the best nights of my life. It was my dream to see her, and it was finally possible. i am so happy and i would happily go again and again if i had the money. When watching the concert, there were 5 interludes that told a story throughout, and there were three powerful titles that she was given that inspired me, ‘The Temptress’ and ‘Sexy Assassin and of course ‘The Femme Fatale!’ xoxo

BRITNEY SPEARS FEMME FATALE TOUR 2011 - INTERLUDE 4 ‘TROUBLE/ALIAS’

This was my favourite of the interludes, The denim, spikes, safety pins and studs, are completely my style. and run smoothly with my FMP and my Hand and Lock project (last semester) XOXO

The Transformation of Enrique Miron as El Diablo by Paul Rowland

I love this photography by Paul Rowland, The recreation of Bible stories, bible imagery and the artwork by Francis Bacon (The Pope Series).

Gareth Pugh Fall 2011 Ready To Wear

Mr Pugh is one of my favourite fashion designers. His constant use of Gothic Fashion mixed with elegance is really striking and stands out to me. His use of sculptural constructede shapes and stunning sillouettes, I like the use of block colour and no print, its all made from fabrics. He’s more of a construction person, than a print person, and i like that. Although i am a print and construction person, i think it shows someones talent when they dont need print and can create something from a blank canvas, which most people cant do.

Arkadius Spring 2002 Ready To Wear

 I actually adore this collection. It completely mocks religion and thats the effect i am going for. Maybe not through the 3D, sculptural effect that they have created, but the same statement. The symbolism and imagery really stand out and is the first collection i have found that actually uses religion as its main influence. Its rebelious and creative and i love it.

Libertine Spring 2012 Ready To Wear

The first collection i came across that i actually liked. This year’s spring collections have all been slightly similar and only a few have stood out to me. Every collection i looked at i felt like i had already seen it and i was totally uninspired. This collection was the first that stood out. I like the sophistication and the develoment of the collection. The construction and the simplicity and the prints speak for themselves and are not lost in the construction. I love the large prints, The stripes and the XO are my favorites. The stripes remind me of Francis Bacons: Pope Series.

“I should have been, I don’t know, a con-man, a robber or a prostitute. But it was vanity that made me choose painting, vanity and chance.”

—	Francis Bacon

Francis Bacon: Pope Series

Francis Bacon has always been my favourite artist, ever since i had an interest in art in high school. I like his twist on things, his vision and his expression. The thick brushstrokes, the blend of colours, surrealism, and his twist on his own inspiration of picasso and cubism. I adore this series of The Pope after his study of Valezques portrait of the pope from the 1600’s. I love dark imagery and the horrific portrayal of an important religious figure. Its almost like he was his own art movement, i have never seen anyone elses work in this style before. GORGEOUS. People might find me morbid, intimidating or weird or whatever, but i dont care. i like people who are different, people who stand out and people who are brave and arent scared to do their own thing. so yeah FRANCIS BACON I LOVE YOU.. i may use some of these images to develop my colour story. I liek the use of black, dark purples and hints of other colours.

Magdalena Frackowiak’s Blasphemous Photos for Dansk AutumnWinter 2011

Camilla Akrans ‘Faith’ - Sacrilegious Photography

I really like the home made oversized ROSARY beads, i may have to invest in some GIANT wooden beads and create something similar maybe? and involve it into my work somehow (Final Major Project) . as a belt, or an oversized necklace or just something for the final shoot or runway.

Sacrilege
1. the misuse or desecration of anything regarded as sacred
2. the act or an instance of taking anything sacred for secular use” 

The Dilia Oviedo ‘A Religious Experience’ Series Plays with Faith: Naughty Nuns

 

I really love the concept of NO NAUGHTY NUNS, which is now a theme through my current project and hopefully part of my FMP in 2012. Its a fun twist to my project and unexpected and extremely creative. I really enjoy looking at Nun and Religious Fashion editorials and magazine spreads, the different meanings and interpretations created by the stylist and photographer. I THINK I HAVE NOW CHANGED MY MIND FOR FINAL PHOTO'S - THAT DIDNT TAKE LONG.

NO NAUGHTY NUNS!!

I am really loving the studio module. I am so excited, i have so many ideas and so much inspiration for prints. I cant wait to start printing on fabrics. These are two of my favourites so far <3 I think they make LOUD AND REBELIOUS STATEMENTS. Its not something you’d really see on clothing and thats the sort of thing i like to do. The Nun print is something that you wouldnt really see as a print and it is unpredictable, and takes the religious idea to the next step without doing the obvious and printing a cross repeatedly. I’ll probably use the cross, but alongside prints like these. I finally dont feel lost anymore, just such a shame its taken til year 3 for me to feel i am getting somewhere.

Taylor Momsen

Already Thinking Of Final Photo's for FMP

I am getting so much inspiration at the moment from music videos, lyrics, quotes and prints. I am getting so excited and i have an idea that will give my photographs an edge. I want my model to have a crown of thorns and a grungy image like i have already said in a past post. Then after watching The Pretty Reckless’s music video ‘Just Tonight’ an idea sprung to mind.
Taylor Momsen, lead singer of the band, dips roses in paint, hangs them over a white wall, and the red drizzles down creating lovely streaks behind her. My model could have this paint-dripping floral behind her, making the background as busy as tghe foreground. LOVES IT

SARA LI-CHOU HAN TRASHED COUTURE COLLECTION: DENIM

i am in love with this. i love the idea of collaging and building up scraps of different kinds of denim, and different items of clothing to create a beautiful piece. Its giving me an idea for one of my designs for my final collection! I love the shoulders, the huge shredded shoulder tassles. EXCITING!!!

Dissertation

I am feeling alot better about my dissertation, i dont feel as stressed because i have an underline of what i want to write about and what is going to be contained in the dissertation. I just need to do some thorough research and i think this dissertation could really work. I’m excited and scared, as i have so many things i can write about and what i feel strongly about as i have a slight connection with what i will be writing about, but i cant let my mind run away with me, i need to keep structure and stability within my writing
Fingers crossed……..

Dissertation and Synopsis

Its that time once again, earlier this year, so we can concerntrate on our studio works. I have completely turned my idea for my dissertation around. Before I wanted to involve religion, as my indigo project is based on that, but Gill (my contextual studies tutor) gave me the idea, That if I wanted to involve Lady Gaga and Britney Spears, why don’t I use the topic of idols and icons. Why do the majority of Gay Men find it easier to look up to Strong, Powerful Celebrity women as Role Models. I love this idea, because i am openely gay myself, I have an obsession with Gaga and Britney, so this is something personal to me, and exciting. The dissertation doesn’t have to be handed in for over a month, but the synopsis has to be in tomorrow. I am not as worried as I thought, although I feel mega ill lately I feel OK about it, its probably the first synopsis I have ever written properly and didn’t go off point. I actually feel like there is so much I can write about and am excited to write about my idols and influences xxxx

Final Collection Ideas: already so inspired: MAKE A STATEMENT

Even though my ideas may change later on, i may aswell write it all down :) We all know that I have a new found obsession with DENIM! Absolutley love the stuff. And I have decided that my final collection will all just be denim and that’s it. Thanks to Marques Almeida, who completely inspired me to do this. ADORE THEM. I have also had so much inspiration and ideas for the final catwalk show, and it an amazing idea came to me last night while listening to a song by Porcelain Black. The song was called: This is What Rock and Roll Looks Like, because my theme is religion, I thought what would be cool, would be for my models to look very grunge, with scruffy long hair and a wearing a crown of thorns, also very dark make up and rosary beads and multichain necklaces covered in crosses, inspired by Givenchy 2008 RTW. Along side my denim, studs, religious prints and spikes. I am really excited, I like my work to be different, my style is completely different to everyone elses and I like things to stand out and make statements. And i like my work to stand out with a rock star like effect, and i love that quality in fashion. I feel really happy with my ideas and the direction I am heading. Just NEED to put all the time and effort into this for it to work!! LOVES IT

Jean Paul Gaultier Spring 2007 Couture

Part of my inspiration, not for the fashion but mainly for the character the models play. The garments are stunning, dont get me wrong, but i like to look deeper. Helps me think of potential prints or design ideas. They are playing the role of Mary Magdalene. Much like Gaga in her portrayal of magdalene in her ‘Judas’ video.

Lady Gaga Portrays Magdalene: wearing Gaultier

ONE OF MY OBSESSIONS!! Lady Gaga is one of my favourite people of all time. I'm not so much of a superfan who collects everything to do with Gaga, BUT i appreciate her celebrity status, music, fashion and her ability to create characters and portrayals. Luckily her newest album has alot of religious reference, which runs alongside the influence for my 'Indigo' (a paris tradeshow) project.

 

“and then twisted together a CROWN OF THORNS and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand and knelt in front of him and mocked him. “HAIL, KING OF THE JEWS!” they said.” — Matthew 27:29

Givenchy Menswear Fall 2010

 CROWN OF THORNS, AS A NECKLACE. i really like the use of an iconic object from Religion (Christianity) as jewellery but i think it would be good as a print, or repeat pattern also, so it really fits into my religious theme for indigo and my FMP.