Design Devlopment

So I have talk a lot about Kaledo in the last few posts, this is what i have been up to. I have created Color pallets from some of my most inspiring images using both color blocks on Kaledo and also my own fabrics that i have scanned in. After a lot of playing around with different fabrics and color I have chosen these fabrics for my collection. Kaledo has enabled me to develop my designs and to give me a clear view as to what may collection will look like when complete.

Company High-Street Edit

My new fav magazine, whilst flicking through the magazines I came across it. The layout is unlike any other magazine, it is more similar to a look book, each page has a different theme and background and it isn't printed on that horrible glossy paper that are hard to turn the page.

I was so excited about this find i took it out with me that night to show like minded friends..... I think they all now own a copy.

Kaledo why do you keep crashing on me?

Following my last blog about Kaledo I couldn't say a bad word about it, whilst i still enjoy using it now I have really got into it we have occurred a problem..... it keeps crashing and i am losing my work. Not knowing the ins and outs of computers at all I think the basic reason is that it is getting over loaded. This is the first time anyone has started scanning in fabrics to use on their designs so I guess I am the Guinea pig here.

With the help from IT and Uni it came down to phoning Lectra, whom have an amazing help line, they can take control of you computer their end and do all the checks etc that they have to do. This saves a huge amount of time for both parties. At first we thought we had cracked it, so simple but it is something we didn't think off, the resolution of the scanned fabrics was to high causing the program to crash. This was great as i could now change it and get on ......it crashed again. Roger at Lectra then thought it may be a problem with Microsoft , changes had to be made to the settings. Fingers crossed it is now all sorted.

Change your world and your warrdrobe

Last summer i read this book and i recommend everyone else to do the same. Written by Tamsin Blanchard and forword by Lily Cole it is a Vogue 'must-read'. As the name suggests it is all about ethical fashion and tells of small changes that you can make that could make a huge difference.

' For Girls who care about global warming, and the next seasons hot looks, Green is the New Black is a must-have accessory. From the truth about fast fashion to the best biodegradable shoes, from guilt-free spending sprees to the joys of swishing parties, this is the chicest, greenest survival manual around. If you want to change the world, and your wardrobe, don't go shopping without it'

My new LOVE!! Kaledo

I have perviously mentioned Kaledo on this blog, i am now a Kaledo addict!. Not usually being one for computers I really benefited from the one - one lesson on Kaledo and it has helped me so much. As I am using a series of different printed fabrics i was finding hard to visualise what it would look like and how the prints would look together.

Kaledo allows you to scan in any chosen fabric and place it and scale it onto your design. I really enjoy using this program and am now helping others with it.... this is something i never thought I would be able to do.

Film & Culture 'INVICTUS'

Admittedly I have become obsessed with Africa, always having a interest in Nelson Mandela I couldn't wait to go and see Invictus. The Film gave a real sense of pride that Africa has to its people and highlighted those people that are responsible for making south Africa a place to be safe for all races and just how much strength belief has.

Acid wash!

This is one of my Toiles, i have tried to get an acid wash look here on the denim, so far I have experimented with two ways. Firstly i used natural un-dyed Denim tied string around and submerged it in a blue Denim dye. secondly I used blue Denim again tied string around it but put it in bleach, but only for a short while so it didn't start to root away at the fabric.

I found the second worked best for me and gave the look I wanted.

Destination : BERLIN

This was our first trip abroad at University and my first ever flight and it was so good!

One of the main reasons of going was to set up a link between our university and one in Berlin, this was an amazing experience to see how things were done their compared to here. whilst there we also visited an exhibition by the students at the University the quality of there work was incredible and i really enjoying viewing it.

During the visit we also got the chance to go site seeing and went on a guided tour, there was so much to take in due to the amount of history Berlin has it was all so interesting.

Being Fashion students of course we went shopping too

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Recommended books, they are great.

If I didn't have these book I don't know where i would be, they are a must have for any fashion students, it has everything you need to know, all the information is useful and you can really connect with it as they use examples of other students work.

Africa In Vogue!

Africa now seems to be everywhere and I love it!

Here are some of the best looks i have seen and taken from Vogue.