Press kits

So, I've been looking at putting together press kits to, you know, get myself noticed/some kind of paid employment!

I'm going to include a cd full of images of things I've made - not the stuff I already have, not that there's ANYTHING wrong with the photography, more that the images aren't perfect due to the way the shoot had to happen. So here's my plan:

Re-shoot the garments over the summer as both a look book and some still life shots.

Hammer on the door of any and all local/free papers until somebody gives me even half a column inch and I have some kind of press.

Use my, not inconsiderate, skills at making me look better in writing than I am without lying - v handy for cv's as some of my friends will agree! - to put together a covering letter to let the press know what an awesome person they've been overlooking! This will include a couple of influences, what I've done outside college and where I'm moving forward in the future.

Carry a folder with me at all times containing the information - you never know who you are going to run into.

Then I'm going to

NETWORK NETWORK NETWORK

I'm not above cashing in on my friends contacts so if any of you reading this has any contacts/advise on the above I'll take any meetings and or criticism you want to give me!

As always MWAH MWAH!

DXX

PS you never know I might do Project Runway after my third year!

Photoshoot Pl Make up

it would be a plan but it seems I can only get so far with it until it all goes crashing down around my ankles so for now it's just a pl - quelle surprise!

Make up for photo shoot

As much as I love this:

Fan Bingbing
Vogue China June 2012 – Beauty
Editorial: “Diva Fan-tasy”
Photographer: David Slijper
Fashion Editor/Stylist: Ida Wang, Tina Chai
Makeup Artist: Lisa Houghton

It’s not the look my collection needs, it needs clean and should be easily fit into a busy lifestyle with the ability to turn into an evening look easily as that is what my muse needs.

So more like this - yes I luv Fan Bingbing:

Which can become this easily:

Nicole Kidman in Lanvin

So there are 3 looks for the various outfits which can be scaled up through the shoot:

Barely there for the work out outfit – who actually works out with a full face of make up on?

Scarlett Johannson for Dolce & Gabbana

Love this Dolce & Gabanna Spring 2010 ad (not sure who the model is – if you know please tell me!), it’s fresh, clean and healthy looking.

Laura Robson Adidas Ad date unknown, she looks healthy and fresh faced, it’s a recurring theme.

So that’s decided then, clean make up, mascara, foundation, blush, lip gloss, maybe a little highlighter to give some fresh faced shine.

For the day look a simple make up which can be added to to translate into an evening look, although obviously NOT the hair:

Katherine Heigle out and about in LA.

Or this:

Natalie Portman in Dior in Paris – she could smile!

For the evening look a strong lip with a nude eye, this was a strong look on the Autum/Winter 2012/13 catwalk which translated across from the catwalk to the red carpet:

I think this was a look from the Diane Von Furstenberg Autumn/Winter 2012/13 collection

It would be easy for her to do and would work with the garments.

So that’s the make-up decided then!

Mwah mwah!

dxx

Branding - GAH!

So I'm looking at branding for the moment. It's a pain, I can't afford to outsource this even though it's not my forté, so I should really! But I'm a poor student so I'm struggling onwards.

I'm looking for a killa strapline that isn't cheesy. Those of you who don't know me personally may be a little surprised by this - I do cheesy VERY well, so it's been tough! Here's some stuff I've thrown away so far:

Your passion is our fashion - this one actually made me through up a bit in my mouth, I was not aware there was a level of cheese in the universe that could make me do that! ;)

Etre Meilleur - French for Be Better ok but a bit posey

Aaaaaaaah Fashion! - but I thought as I'd already stolen the name of the company from Gok, this might be going a leetle bit too far

You'll never put a better bit of fashion on your kife - the bus to reality street has left the terminal and you missed it

When the going get's tough, the tough get fashion - desperation sets in

Feel the fashion - then sleazy 70's music slides in afterwards

Fashion this - I imagined a big fist with fashion this written on it, hey, I'm desperate!

Don't live a little, live a fashion - I swear at this point I was getting delusional!

It could be because I'm rubbish at this kind of thing - I am. But, I'm going with the fact I've been up since 0400 this morning due to bird song and heat. I'm British I'm not made for sunny weather and whoever thinks bird song is lovely can come and listen to the cacophony outside my bedroom window and be woken up by it!

Anyhoo the contenders are:

Great Fashion. Great Times - conjures up those lovely days of summer when your off out with your friends having stupid amounts of fun, but can I really guarantee great times?

and

You've always got time for fashion - although that doesn't really strike me as fantastic

I've decided to go with:

Where do you want your fashion to take you to today?

Which doesn't make me retch and is pretty much the best I've come up with - faint praise that this is. It is, however, much better than freelance fashion designer which is the alternative.

If you've got anything you think would work leave a comment.

As usual, if you follow my blog, I'll follow  your's.

Mwah mwah

dxx

I've been naughty

NO! Not that way - wash your mind out with soap! I haven't really blogged very much, ergo, I've been naughty!
I promise to do better starting, well now really ;)
This is what I handed in for my portfolio - have a look and tell me what you think. I have to say I'm very proud of the work I've done this year, I know there are flaws but I've learned SO much and I can draw. Admittedly, the only way I can draw is using illustrator put it's still valid!

This is my customer board, it's supposed to tell you she's busy and is juggling a lot of things from family to work and the influence her city has on her. I hope you get that from the board.

My inspiration boards, I was inspired by the clothing my muse needed for a week in here life, she runs a PR business and has to attend lots of different functions as well as getting through the day to day stuff.

I've named all my garments after areas of Manhattan to bring in the theme of the city she lives in. This is my work out outfit. I've tried to fit the name with the outfit based on the vibe of the area - I know how arty do I sound? ;)

A casual brunch outfit or just dropping off the kids - my muse is super woman! This collection is also about me learning new skills so I've tried to include many different types of fabric from jersey to chiffon.

Easy day at the office or brunch with the girls, she'd wear this is she didn't have any clients to see but could dress up the look if she needed to see somebody unexpectedly.

A more formal day at the office look.

A kimono style dress that can be worn for the more casual events she has to go to like a Soho art gallery opening.

A formal gown for grand events such as opening night at the Met.

My range plan, the looks all together I hope it looks like a collection even though they are very different garments.

And my colour board which I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE!

Tell me what you think of them and when I get the marks back I'll let  you know what I got.

So far I've only got one result which was over 70% (equivalent to a first) for my presentation, I KNOW the rest of the marks will not be that good!

Mwah, mwah!

dxx

The King was Crowned and other stories

Well, PR Allstars has come and gone and the King was crowned. Not that Mondo didn't deserve to win, it's just it was all a bit, expected. Here's my fav look from the runway:

Yes, it's a Mondo look - why are you surprised?

IMO there was nothing on the runway from anyone that made me wish I'd designed it, and Rami should have been there instead of Michael Costello.

I've been very busy writing a report for Contextual Studies along with a reflective diary and getting my portfolio together, with another reflective diary. I hate the reflective diary part but it does make you look and critically analyse your work so it's useful.

Anyhow, here's the second year boards I've added, please let me know what you think. The boards are spread across 2 A3 pages. I'll be adding my flats when I've finished the annotation. All constructive criticism welcome!

Customer/Inspiration:

Split over 2 A3 pages:

These are on separate A3 pages

 

Colour:

Split over 2 A3 pages:

So come on, tell me what you think!

Mwah, mwah!

dxx

Fashion Faux Pas???

A friend sent me this link is it wrong that I like the following?


Picture 5:

As it's cute and fun and bff's can really skip along together wearing it!


Picture 7

Think of all the funky things you could add to the bar like a tv screen or robot arms to apply your make up. And I'm digging the clogs to!

Picture 11

I'm LOVE the shoulder details ;)

Picture 18

For some reason the idea of walking round with tiny animals makes me smile.

Picture 25

Perfect for those bad hair/face days and because it's flowers it will smell pretty too!

Picture 34

Now if only you could do this with a pair of flats you'd always be able to walk to the taxi rank from the club in comfort ;)

Peruse the rest and make your mind up - maybe I like them because I'm fashion dahlink.

Mwah mwah

dxx

Catch up from the summer

Spent the summer researching and researching.
Visiting art galleries.
Playing with The Cub.
SLEEPING
Getting to grips with Illustrator and Photoshop - which I would marry if they were a person!


Fashion show went ok, wasn't that happy with the finish on my garments, but people, it's been a HUGE learning curve for this tired momma over the last 12 months.


I passed the first year without any resits which is fantastic and didn't do to badly.


My models did a brilliant job walking the catwalk and rocking out - will post some pictures when I get time (you know those 3 minutes a day I use to use as sleep!)


All our summer briefs except conceptual studies have been launched and they are HUGE. Imagine the biggest thing ever then double it and you aren't even close. Forget expansion of the universe, tis nothing compared to these briefs (not the Bridget Jones kind ;)


You'll be extactic to know I'll be doing this on a regular basis now so I'm going to ask your forgiveness now for my inane ramblings.


Laters


Dxx

New Beginnings

In more ways than one.

First a bit about me - I'm SURE you're dying to know ;)

I'm 42, mother to a 2 year old monster, sorry I mean little boy otherwise known as The Cub. Partner to OMM (who's ginger for those that have to know!)

I'm currently studying Fashion at Foundation Degree Level at Mid-Cheshire College.

I have obviously decided to live my life backwards going to college and having a child when most people are hoping/looking forward to their leaving the nest!

Part of my course next year is blogging so I'm starting early here what was that I heard a resounding cheer?

I'll bring you up to date on my life.

In a similar manner to Bill Hicks I was born screaming - but I was born in Cornwall not America.

My parents moved 'up the line' before I was one so I have a pronounced north west accent, having a mother from the south west means I can't say some words properly such as water and boy which if said on their own not only sounds broad kernish but makes you look fairly odd, something of which I'm good at.

I went to school, had an ordinary education.

Left school went to college

Left college went to uni for a year had to come home. The story of which is tragic and I won't bore you with it.

Went to India to 'find myself' (if I EVER go back in time I shall slap myself for being so precious) and there I was all the time, quelle surprise.

Came back couldn't stand the parents went round the Greek islands.

Came back got a job as a waitress

Ended up running the company I shall write a book one day about it but it will have to be fiction as NOBODY would believe me if I wrote it as the truth.

Married the owner

Caught him in bed with somebody else

Left the owner

Had many Jo jobs in many industries as wide ranging as logistics to construction.

Took a course on how to make skirts, having completed many mad courses such as basic poultry keeping.

Saw a course on corsetry

Did course got hooked.

Took the City and Guilds in corsetry

Carried on with my life making corsets as a hobby. What the DON'T tell you about making corsets are all the interesting people you meet with 'interesting hobbies.

By now I'm working for a bank - think eagle and don't hate me.

I get pregnant which trust me was not planned, however, there is very little else to do in Cornwall when you're camping and it's raining. At least I shall always be able to point to the exact spot The Cub was conceived. I should imagine that will make him cringe quite satisfactorily when he is older - I'm evil it's a gift.

You may find this next section TMI if so scroll through you won't miss much.

Waters break with The Cub 5 weeks early - so nothing is ready - and he's born.

Traumatic time in hospital due to incompetence, I would heartily urge people not to have a child in Leighton Hospital as very little has changed despite my 10 page letter of complaint.

Go on mat leave.

Take voluntary redundancy.

Go on degree course as I'm heartily sick of there being nothing for The Cub to wear that isn't plastered in slogans or blue/beige and my brains threaten to run out of my ears from being a SAHM. Huge amounts of respect going out to the SAHM's who can do it - you are better women than I!

And here we are writing a blog, that's all nice and cyclical then.

Now I've got all the me me me stuff out of the way I shall let you know what I want to do with the blog and how I intend to do it.

Be afraid, be VERY afraid!