Quick Update

I just wanted to give a quick update; I am currently busy getting all my coursework and documentation finished for my current project and am also working on another on-line-based project so I have been unable to find time to blog any of my thoughts. I shall, however, be posting again at the weekend. 

I'll leave you with my favourite fashion-based ad of 2009!

Update; Espadrilles

I am forever going to be known as 'the espadrille boy' but I just wanted to do a quick update now that my new summer-specific footwear have arrived from the on-line fashion retailer, ASOS.

Here are the monstrosities after one wear, granted I do work down a coal mine and have particularly dodgy balance! I do like the general aesthetic but I think I would have a more comfortable fit if I wrapped a pillow case around my foot or better still wore a form of sock! I'd advise people to perhaps opt for a more expensive, higher quality style of espadrille such as TOMS. All that's left to do is to destroy these with a glue gun and a over-active imagination!

SEE Fashion Promo Project

As part of my current promotional project at college I have been experimenting with imagery, recycled garments and brand identity to produce numerous materials to publicise SEE Fashion. SEE fashion is an organisation set up to promote the reuse of recyclable materials and elements within the fashion industry and is currently working in conduction with my college, South Essex College. Here are a couple of early designs I have produced; a website and two advertisements intended for hand-out or magazine submission. As you can see, I have used the photographic images I obtained in a photo shoot earlier this month.

Advertisement #1

Advertisement #2

Website Design

Charlotte Graham

Another day, another blog. Have a few days off I think!

I wanted to blog some images that I captured in an early photo shoot I carried out for my portfolio. I, however, wanted to put the focus onto my friend and muse, Charlotte Graham. Whenever I have received a brief for a project at college the first thing that comes to my mind is 'How can I use Charlotte in some way?'. I love her combination of classic beauty and potent charisma. She photographs so well even without make-up which is evident in these photos from last summer;

If anyone fancies using Charlotte for anyway, preferably not anything perverse, I'd recommend getting in touch with her via Facebook or Twitter. She's an avid twitter-er. She's based in Kingston where she is studying creative writing and is currently a lot less freckly!

        

Last of The Great Pretenders?

Allow your attention to be given to the fact that I have used another Queen reference as a blog title; next I'll be ambling around my room with a thick moustache and tight leather skirt on singing about how I want to break free, but that's no reference to Queen...

For the last couple of weeks, and after viewing the reinvention of the Thierry Mugler brand by Nicola Formichetti, I have been the question; "What will happen to theatre in fashion?". The mundane and ordinary are two things we all both fear and savor. We are all a bit scared of blending-in and considering within society we are very small voices, we all like attention at our cores. On the other hand, we cling to routine, familiarities and labels in order for us to simplify and remain comfortable in our every day lives.

Gaga voguing on the runway for the Thierry Mugler A/W at Paris Fashion Week.

In my own opinion, there are two types of fashion designers and visionaries; those who aim to comfort and pleasure the world and those who aim to challenge and take their audience out of their comfort zone. To look back at Alexander McQueen's spring/summer collection of 2001 and absorb the disturbing yet innately satisfying content is in some ways a contrast to many of the catwalks and runways of this year's fashion weeks. This can be applied to other designers such as Thierry Mugler himself, arguably the pioneer of such extravagant and extreme fashion presentations, who understand that it's important to get the ideology of a collection across to his audience.

Throughout the 1990's and 2000's we have all been treated to catwalks that could easily be placed in the same arena and many experimental films or pieces of theatre. A mixture of striking couture, eery and elaborate props and scenery and the most gaunt, and sometimes violated, looking models you would see on a a runway. Some people may choose to describe theses shows, especially in the case of McQueen, as glamorised visions of a freak show or morbid fantasies played out to a hungry fashion press. But 'mundane and ordinary' are two words that you could struggle to apply to these 'happenings' and they have never failed to create buzz and hype about a particular collection or designer. In many cases, the garments speak for themselves.

Alexander McQueen Spring/Summer 2001

I don't want to drift off topic and discuss Mugler's new Frankenstein-ish appearance that only Jocelyn Wildenstein could love! But with his disassociation from the Mugler brand, the death of the late great Lee McQueen and the recent shameful exit from Dior by John Galliano, I think it will very interesting to see if the next elites of fashion; Gareth Pugh, Formichetti or even the most recent creative director of Gucci, Frida Giannini, have much offer in the way of drama or theatre. Maybe the future of fashion is a fusion with other genres of pop culture; perhaps music or cinema? We shall wait intrepidly.

If you fancy having a look at McQueen's collections, and like looking at glossy, high resolution photos, I would recommend a book called 'Alexander McQueen: Genius of a Generation' by Kristin Knox. It retails at around £19.99 in places like Urban Outfitters but I got mine for about £12 off Amazon. Definitely worth the money! 

I think I'm going to do another blog on John Galliano for reasons that I will explain at the time. Who knew a cold could breed so much cyber-prose. I do hope I'm not boring anyone, and if I am, KMT!

All we hear is Lady, Oh, Gaga.

Firstly I would just like some recognition for my use of word play in the title of this blog, based on the Queen lyric. Well, I'm impressed anyway...

Just as 'The Exhibitionist Issue' of i'D magazine is about to hit our bookstores and newsstands here in the UK, I wanted to look at the cover star, the illustrious Stefanie Germonatta or Lady Gaga as she is more formally known. I must admit I always have a slight fear of declaring "I'm a fan of Gaga" because I think to many people, or just perhaps myself, a Gaga/Gay-ga fan is a highly strung, self-entitled 'diva' who literally worships the ground she walks on and fashions the couture she wears out of toilet roll holders and milk cartons. I want to state profusely this is not me, I am in fact just an admirer! Because let's face it, in the space of 2 years she has become a sensation, putting the Illuminati conspiracies and rumours of being an hermaphrodite aside, this young lady has known what she wants, to share the vietgeist, and how she will get it, through being omnificient, and has conquered her dreams!

I just wanted to share a few of my favourite magazine that have had her well-composed face brazened upon them; including, of course, her freckled visage on the cover of i'D:

i'D 'The Exhibitionist Issue' is published on 24th March and, with the furious hype created over the internet, I'd recommend camping outside your local WHSmith for a least a couple of days before, no particular reason why! Styled also by the multi-talented creative director of Thierry Mugler and member of the 'Haus of Gaga', Nicola Formichetti, the issue is definitely worth a browse if not a purchase. Come on, we've all done that before!

Shoot me now!

 

 

Designer//Me. Models//Me & Aaron Davey. MUA//Matthew Wells. 

Photographer//Thomas Burgess.

Some sample images taken from a recent photo shoot for the jackets I designed. The contrasting embellishment on the jackets is intended to represent the contrast between the masculine and the feminine, the natural and the man made. The images will be developed and incorporated into designs for promotional materials I am currently producing.

Move over Twiggy!

Espadrilles

I'm sitting here in the midst of my man flu epidemic and rather than comfort eating and staring at my twitter feed, I thought I would put some of my fever-based thoughts down in words. All I can think of is espadrilles!

Okay, well, what is there to say about espadrilles? I think back to the abuse I incurred upon others through my summer footwear last year! Whether it was the German-based blister blasters we know as Birkenstocks or what can only be described as the Trojan Twink effect, Gladiator sandals, last Summer wasn't my season of style! It didn't help that I shaved my hair and had a farmer's tan! Anyway, this year I am taking steps to improve my summer wardrobe and not resemble something like Crimewatch meets Queer Eye for the Straight Guy!

I think there is always a danger with espadrilles of looking like a 'lad on tour' with complementing Soul-Cal jeans and Bench graphic tee! This year especially, with the popularity of chinos on the British high street, it's essential to have footwear that can be worn with a rolled up trouser leg without giving your foot too many marks and blisters! I avoided them last year after my distress over the over-subscription of the Military boot and canvas tennis plimsolls but this year I am determined to make them work for me!

Whether you're a high street shopper, a ready-to-wear wannabe or a budding couture customiser, espadrilles are a perfect canvas for embellishment and can be teamed with so many Summer garments! Ranging from around £10-£30 on the high street they are a seasonal staple and have been released in a variety of colours and styles; lace up, boot style or original plimsoll, to suit whatever you want your look to be; Edward Cullen with a tan, Essex boy with pride or tribal lover!

I have purchased myself some from ASOS, for £10, I'll ready and waiting to customise these babies!