Veruschka

Veruschka is a German model who was born in 1939 in Russia. Her father was a member of the German Resistance and was executed for his involvement in the July 20 plot to assasinate Hitler. Veruschka and the rest of her family spent the rest of the Second World War in Nazi labour camps.

After the war she began to study art in Hamburg and then moved to Florence where she was discovered by a photographer and became a full time model. After she reached her peak of earning up to $10,000 a day she left the fashion industry over a disagreement with Grace Mirabella the then editor in chief of Vogue.

The images below were captured by her photographer boyfriend Franco Rubartelli depicting her infamous and evocative body paint art.

Spyder Illustrations

The final stage of the design process is Fashion Illustrations. My illustrations were painted using gouache then edited in photoshop with parts of collage added. The technical flats accompany the illustrations to give a specific idea of how the collection would be made.

Design Portfolio

I have recently handed in my final second year design project for marking after many pick and mix fuelled long days and evenings in the CAD (computer aided design) room. The project brief we were given was concerned with sustainability in fashion. After researching many different aspects of sustainability in fashion I decided to design ski-gear because polyester is now recyclable and turning it into fresh clothing instead of putting it into landfills is a great way of recycling a non-biodegradable material. Jackets in the collection are made from recylable polyester and fleece fabric can be created from recycled bottles. The collection is based on the concept of longevity with layering pieces such as trendy cable and fairisle knits used for a more trend based, fashionable edge. Pieces such as jackets and salopettes are designed to last forever and have removable and exchangable linings to freshen up each season. All undergarments favoured more for apres ski such as cotton and jersey t-shirts are 100% organic cotton. I decided to use CAD to create my designs because I am starting a Fashion placement as of Monday that requires the use of illustrator and I think the sleek and professional style of Spyder ski-gear will be reflected well by using computer design. I have also added certain details with Kaldeo style (another computer programme).

These are some examples of my flat drawings for the collection.

Bill Beckley

I have recently discovered the photographer Bill Beckley and his series of beautifully captured flowers in delicate movement, 'Pathways to A Self'. Images like these can be so inspiring in fashion design; from moodboards and silhouette shapes to images on graphic tees and decorative corsages.

http://www.billbeckley.com/

Chris Kenny

Just a quick post on this artist Chris Kenny who creates 3d art and collages. I love the stick men!!!

80s Ebay

My current winter warmer obsession has moved from animal jumpers onto fabulous embellished 80s numbers!! I found these beauties on ebay and have since stumbled across an some amazing vintage ebay stores.

Ebay vintage shops

Bags and purses -Key shapes for Spring/Summer 10/11

Transluscent

Glass and acryllic are combined with metal for inspiration. Bags and purses will be unique and have smooth edges.These Topshop purses and unique and have a metallic and quirky edge.

Molten and Set

Inspiration is rougly molded plastic and liquid metals and blown glass.Starting from the top left this topshop purse shows the kind of marbled colours created from liquid glass. The Calvin Klein bag is a bright unusual colour and has a shiny and trnsluscent feel. The French connection bag has a mettalic feel and the asos bag underneath has interesting pleats which give it shape and texture.

Old and Worn

This trend has an old and vintage theme. The cameo purse shown on the left is from Topshop - the cameos reflect the vintage theme. There are two All Saints bags on the right (as they do the old and worn look so well anyway). The last bag has a big vintage rose corage and is from Karen Millen.

Sharp Edges
This trend is all about sharp and aggressive edges. These two karen Millen bags reflect this idea perfectly.


Regimented Decoration

This idea is to have embellishment and decoration that is symmetrical or orderly. Studs arent usually decorated with such an ordered manner making it an interesting idea. Metallic finishes are used with geometric shapes. The two bags on the right are from Topshop The bag below is a geometrically shaped bag from All Saints. The bags next to that are from ASOS.

Animal Jumpers

Animal Jumpers

After taking inspiration from Bret (from 'Flight of the Concordes') I have decided to do a post on animal jumpers which seem to have recently hit the fashion scene with a vengeance.

Topshop

Urban Outfitters

Asos

And theres always ebay....

Fashion illustrators

Fashion Illustrators

Part of my next project is to create fashion illustrations for my Autumn/Winter 10/11 design collection. My designs are in the style of Junya Watanabe and I hope to illustrate my collection with his signature style also. I am going to begin by researching some different illustrators and investigate their various techniques and methods.

Veronica Ballart

I have started with the young and contemporary illustrator,Veronica Ballart. Her soft lines and harmonising use of colour have inspired me to investigate watercolours and gouache as a illustration technique.Her illustrations are delicate and evoke a definate sense of femininity.

Mats Gustafson

Gustafson is an established illustrator that has worked with designers such as Comme des garcons, Chanel and Yohji Yamamoto. His abstract and conceptual style fits well with the designer I am currently researching(Junya Watanabe). I particularly like the Comme des Garcons illustration featured on the left.

Harley Dandy Trend

Trend: Autumn Winter 10/11 Harley Dandy

Moodboard

Designer Inspiration-Junya Watanabe

Junya Watanabe

High street clothing is generally inspired by catwalk collections that top designers have previously created for shows in Paris, Milan, London etc. I have recently been researching the conceptual designer Junya Watanabe the protege of Comme des Garcon's founder, (Rei Kawakubo).I have researched many different areas of his work focusing mainly on his ready to wear collections.

Browns London

Watanabe is exclusively stocked in only two locations in the UK ;Browns and Dover Street Market.I recently visited Browns on South Molton street London and managed to take a couple of discreet photos of Watanabes ready to wear Autumn/Winter 09 collection! The clothing featured below is from the discount store (Browns for Less) and from one of Watanbe's past collections.

Autumn Winter 2009 collection