knitspiration

An old project ends and a new one begins, my course just doesn't stop. I have a new swatching project that I am trying to research, (swatches are garment ideas, about A4 size, which are bought by shops and designers to use as their own) perhaps a bit too leisurely, and am trying to figure out a concept. I know that I need to play around with my stitch techniques, and try some things that I've been avoiding, such as cables and lace. At the moment, I know that I want to create some interesting shapes, perhaps layering or using panels of different texture. The Fall 09 collections have had some great knitwear, I particularly liked Mark Fast's collection (I've met him by the way, woooo claim to fame).



The 80s body-con sillhouettes are still there, with the lacy, distressed textures, but he's also created skirts, tops, and long gowns to move things on a bit. I like the simple colour palette, something that I should perhaps try (my colour palettes tend to have around 10 colours). His inspiration? Thunderstorms.

I was also impressed with Julian McDonalds collection.


I'd previously associated him with lurid colour cmbinations and Project Catwalk insults, but now I'll add knitwear afficionado to the list. I love the structured dress in the middle, cables gone punk, with the ladders in between slightly reminscent of Mark Fast. I'm not sure if I have the patience to produce something like this though, and of course I must try and find my own inspiration. The project is for Fall 2010, so who knows what could be relevant then?


On a different note, and perhaps slightly more me, are the eclectic knits of Cooperative Designs on Kingdom Of Style. Quirky patterns are my kind of thing, and I love how they've been mixed up and spliced together in all sorts of random places. It all looks very cosy. There's even some Fairisle in places, something I was going to avoid, but after seeing it played around with here, it doesn't necessarily have to look twee. I heard the show was quite theatrical, with an art installation of a girl 'thrashing around' and balloon animals made an appearance of the catwalk.

Ah it's a tricky time, trying to get a new project started. I'm inspired by so many designers, themes, even bloggers, but I somehow need to narrow down these thoughts into one cohesive idea. Somehow I'll figure it out...by Thursday.

when I get paid...

February is such a long month. All the new collections in store, and no money to pay for them, plus endless pictures of bloggers taunting me with their new wares. Saw a customer with the two-tone Chanel tights today in the shoe department, almost fainted with jealousy, and wondered if she was going to try on something, so I could subtly check their authenticity (the Chanel logo was obscured by her shoe boots). I took some time to prepare this montage of stuff I want once payday hits, whether I can pluck the courage to purchase it all at once is another question.

1. American Apparel two tone tights. Not quite in the same colours, or style as Chanel, but close enough.
2. A girl can never have enough stripy tops, and this Uniqlo creation looks like it will complete my collection perfectly. A cotton cashmere treat.
3. Urban Outfitters seem to be hearing my tops with leggings plea, I'm hoping to pick this up in London next week.
4. Topshop leggings, quite Alexander Wang methinks?
6. I am constantly wearing my cameo locket from here, but fancy a Charming girl balloon necklace as an equally random alternative. Though this pony would also be mine if it were in stock.
7. I saw these shoes at work today, am hoping to wangle them on uniform...

Can't wait to see more London fashion week pictures, I hear Luella's going to surpass itself if that's even possible.

add this to the DIY queue

No time to blog proper, but I just had to comment on these cut-out Alexander Wang leggings.

I love the body-con sillhouettes of the collection, and these leggings reflect that perfectly. I need to find a way of making them for about £10. Maybe this dress can be ripped off as well. I'll find a way...

Anyways, I have a fashion show of my own to prepare for, the joys of being a course rep. I'll let you know how it goes.

put a smile on my face

So I have good news and bad news. Well mainly bad news; I didn't get the Hong Kong placement I wanted, but I guess the good news is that I really couldn't have done much else, my work was good but I wasn't right for the company and apparently 'I will go far'. It's annoying that bubble has burst, but I guess 6 months of bad hair, and increased consumerism wouldn't have been beneficial for me. Or so I keep telling myself....I'm downloading lots of Ida Maria songs at the moment, they seem to help. Hopefully I will have some better placement-related news soon, at the moment, it's just annoying.




It's a good thing I did my retail therapy in advance, as I have my new American Apparel and Office purchases to drool over. Here is my shiny skirt/dress thing, I know quite a few people have it, but I still really like it. I'm planning to wear it to the impending fashion show next week (the outfit I'm making is still unfinished), so at least that's one thing sorted out. Also bought a mesh tee, which i just threw on for work the other day. One thing crossed off my layering list.



Here are my brogues, quite glad I bought them in the end. They seem comfy enough to wear during the day, so once this disastrously icy weather is over, I can practice walking short journeys in them, say to the corner shop.




I know I don't really have the funds to be purchasing such goodies, but after selling a few things on ebay, these bits were practically free... give or take a tenner or two.

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slightly freaking out...

What an eventful 24 hours it's been! After applying for the Hong Kong placement last week, I found out that the interviews were today at precisely 3.40pm yesterday, right before work. I was not a happy bunny, and after working on my portfolio last night, printing off 17 boards in colour on A3 card (you'll know how much this costs if you regularly pay to print stuff off at uni) and trying to sort out swatches, it was all over in about 10 minutes. I am in that awkward place of not knowing what to make of the whole thing, do I take the things the interviewer responded with as positives, even hints or does everyone get the same treatment? I am trying to rationalise both outcomes in my brain, somewhat simplistically; I could go and buy nice clothes everyday, eat great food, yet have bad hair (unsure about the amount of Afro hairdressers in Hong Kong, if any) or stay in Blighty, not be broke and have good hair.
Anyways, fashion-wise I have been catching up on the Pre-Fall collections, which look extremely inviting and cosy due to this arctic weather (yes I slipped and fell in the middle of the road today, due to inappropriate yet smart footwear, I'm not proud of it). I pretty much want to own all of Proenza Schouler, and will bankrupt myself to find High Street alternatives for this layered chic. It's highly wearable, and not too fussy, with a simple colour palette. I'd probably want to add some patterned tights, but that's just me. I also quite liked the collections by Givenchy, Alexander Wang and good old Balenciaga, which carried on in a similar vein, with styling that may have been inspired by some of the street style blogs out there. I want it all!



My shoe quest continues, and I managed to find this pair of Office brogues in the sale for £20! They haven't arrived yet, but hopefully they will fit as I'm trying to gradually increase my daytime heel height, so I'm praying these will be comfortable. I'll let you know whatever the results. I do wonder how so many bloggers manage to get such wonderful shoes, on many a style blog I've seen a Louboutin, Chanel or Chloe heel. Please enlighten me with how you get these designer finds, and let me know if there is anything in a UK size 8, pretty please?