Everything leading up to this moment continued...

Triumph Inspiration Awards

Our University was lucky to be able to participate in the Triumph Inspiration Awards 2009. The motto 'Icons' was given to us and after getting through the first round, I produced this piece based on my icon the cassette player. Focusing on what made the cassette player and cassette itself I looked at the inside of a modern day cassette and used this as my main source of inspiration. I also researched in the alternative trends such as steampunk and cyberpunk, as technology is used in both although in very different ways. To make my final garments I cut circuit boards in to the shape of my pattern pieces and sewed these on top of a base bra and knicker I had designed and made. I then knitted cassette tape for the top cup of the bra. The main focus was to show people what really made my icon by using it to create a lingerie set.

Selection of research, designs and experimentation with cassette tape.

Finished Garment

Everything leading up to this moment...

So I thought I would post some of my older work, just so you can see what I have been doing during my course up until now. This is my second year work. Enjoy...

Swimwear

Blue metallic swimsuit with hand made swing tag.

Printed strapless swimsuit with handmade box with carry handle.

Repeat print for swimwear. Created in Adobe Illustrator and Tex Design

Our design brief for the swimwear project was to design and make a mini collection of any two bikini or tankini set or swimsuit and a cover up of our choice. We were to design for a company of our own choice. My choice was shoe company Irregular Choice. With their range of fun, bright, quirky and youthful prints and fabrics, I thought it would be a great opportunity to create some interesting prints aswell as use intereting fabrics. I chose two simple styled swimsuits, one strapless and one with one arm. I created a playful bucket and spade repeat print with was used for one, and for my swimsuitand t-shirt dress cover up a bright metallic blue jersey to match the bright blue in my print.

Corsetry

Presentaion of our garments. Modelled by Jo.

Layout of my work for marking.

These first two are from our corsetry project. During this we learnt how to make corsets and basques. The design brief was to pattern cut and make a corset to any model size we chose and a basque to fit a size 12, 34 B. The basque could be adapted or could be split. I chose to make a long underbust corset and a pointed bra and a girdle inspired by 1940's and 1950's pin up styling, the Gil Elvgreen illustrations and lingerie fashions of the time.

Sportswear

We had to design imagine we were designing and making an outfit for Team GB for the 2012 Olympics. I chose to do running. This was an interesting project as we had to carefully consider seams they wouldn't rub and the use of wicking fabrics to allow the athlete to breathe in the garments.

Sleepless nights, endless sewing, and a photo shoot.

Today was our Uni photoshoot for our catalogue. With as little as 2 hours sleep in the past 48 hours, I am surprised I even managed to make it. I have been working solid for the past 5 days on my outfit. Fabric has been everywhere and my bed has been unmade with everything thrown on top, just so I can't give in to temptation and crawl in to bed. My pins some how kept making it on the floor and I started to wonder if I was putting them there in my sleep deprived state in the hope that stabbing my toe made me more alert.

I have stood for days, pressing and sewing and cutting and more sewing and I feel like I have been getting knowhere. With the shoot drawing closer I was starting to think I would never get it done. The pleated front took me nearly 6 hours to do, only to be told by my friend that I could have got it sent of and done for me. I'm sure I somehow overlook all this important information that could make my life easier. Nevertheless I feel more satisfied looking at it knowing I pleated it all. On the other hand whilst doing this I managed to burn my arm on the iron. I seem to be good at getting wounds from my course. I'm sure it will be another scar to look back on and think of this stressful time.

As well as the pleating the biggest time consumer was the projected curves on the back of the knicker. Trying to make sure they would stand up I ironed interfacing on both fabric pieces which would then be bagged out with chiffon trapped in between. These were then folded back and pressed and then a thick calico with rigilene channels sewn on were put inside before sewing in to the panels.

The photo shoot itself was quick but seeing my garments on the model made it worth it. Having sat up all night I had been worried it would fit properly, but it fit her perfectly and the poses made it look even better. The make up artists and hairstylists went for romantic styling with a messy up do. We weren't given a copy of the professional photographs but I have some that I took myself. Unfortunately the detail doesn't show up as well on these ones but overall I am really pleased with them.

Busy Busy Busy

You know when you make promises to yourself to do something everyday, well this was one of them. So far I have been completely useless in keeping up to date with this blog. My final collection has taken over my life, which isn't a bad thing, I should work on it as hard as I possibly can, but I must say I am a little disappointed that I haven't managed to get any of my work in progress on here.

That aside I have been working towards producing one of my outfits for a photo shoot on Monday for our uni catalogue. I have chosen a high waisted knicker which zips at the front and has pieces which project from the back and a bra to match. It has been a lengthy process but I know all the hard work will pay off in the end.

Until it is finished here is my technical drawing for the knicker.