Born From A Boombox

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Another semester done and dusted now only one more to go. Three words to sum up the past couple of months; hard, fun, and nocturnal. I honestly don’t believe I have ever worked as hard on something as I have on this collection and the supporting assignments.

Despite only clocking up about 13 hours of sleep in this last week, I have enjoyed myself so much creating a collection that was fun and upbeat.

My concept this semester was about being Born From A Boombox (BFABB). It is the idea of being born with a natural talent for hearing and understanding rhythm and beats but creating your own sound. I wanted it to be a bit of fun and a celebration about being confident in yourself.

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As a part of my research I looked into the behaviour of sound. Although sound does not emit a colour, the wave frequency is not that different to that of light. ‘The higher the frequency and the shorter the wave means the louder the sound. Therefore the ‘loudest’ sound when looking at the light spectrum would be ultraviolet. I subsequently made violet the feature colour for the collection.

We had to incorporate a form of fabric manipulation into our collection this semester, I chose stitching. The manipulation can be seen on each body, the men’s coat and the women’s dress and bomber jacket. Using free machine mode I created two variations, one more compact and interpretive, and the other being a more realistic representation of a sound wave.

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I was asked many times this semester “why thirteen?” Thirteen is my lucky number, but I didn’t just pick it randomly, there is a reason as to why. Superstition states that thirteen is an unlucky number and I have had some unlucky times in my past, but I think it is important to recognise these times and not just pass them aside. Take power from the bad things that have happened in your life and use them for good!

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Shout out to my amazing models that made my collection look as cool as it does, Heidi Fettke, Josh D’Monte and Miranda Fish!

 

La Peluche AW15 Collection…

Year 2, Semester 1 at the Whitehouse Institute of Design… Our brief for this semester was to design and make a two body collection, incorporating an original print and channelling an Autumn/Winter aesthetic.

I named my collection La Peluche which is French for plush. I took the soft, luscious elements and juxtaposed them with my bold print.

I created my print from an image I took of the internal architecture at the NAB building across the bridge. It is an amazing building and I am often there as that is where my sister works. I then manipulated it on Photoshop before mirroring a section to make the print you now see. I have included the development in my folio. I created the stripe print using small slivers of the image.

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I definitely believe that my collection was on trend! The silhouettes of the wide leg pant and having bulk around the neck can be seen from many designers latest collections, especially Chanel’s bar runway for AW15. The over-sized long length coat is also on trend but I took a different spin on it adding the cloak like hood. I wear my dressing gown everyday so I wanted to design one I could wear out of the house.

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The scarf and belt I have hand knitted myself from unspun merino wool roving that is untreated and even has small husks entwined. I searched for all different products that I could use for this and I found this gave me the bulky look I was going for whilst still being cushiony and comfortable for the wearer.

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Thank you to my beautiful models Heidi Fettke and Lucille Croft and thanks also go out to the lovely Chloe Elizabeth for the photographs.

 

 

Remember My Name…

 

It feels so amazing! I am being recognised for my latest work left, right and centre!!!

My AW15 collection was received very well at my panel assessment last week, and it has been a whirlwind since then. In the panel, Leanne Whitehouse, founder of the Whitehouse Institute of Design was so impressed that she took some photos and instantly posted them to the university’s instagram!

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The full length image has been shared numerous times since, even by my old school Scotch Oakburn College and the APEX Australian Teenage Fashion Awards group!

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My creations were then involved in a professional photoshoot by the Whitehouse on Monday and will possibly be used in upcoming promotions for the university. My collection is also going to be featured at Melbourne Whitehouse’s Open Day this Friday and Saturday (19 & 20 June) in the runway show at 12:30pm. It will be great to have as much support as possible so come along if you are free.

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I just want to thank all those people out there who believe in me… thank you for helping my dreams come true!

 

More photos from my AW15 collection to come and also the inspiration and concept behind the whole thing.

Goodbye for now…

I have almost finished this final year of school and my project is coming to an end. I have my presentation exam for my Student Directed Inquiry in just a couple of days.

 

I started out this year just researching Paris Fashion Week and other major fashion shows across the globe.

viktor-and-rolf-refinery 2WhiteI then had the amazing opportunity to go to the L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Week.

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Now I have had my own turn on the runway, experiencing both the preparation and the backstage components of a fashion show.

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Summary…

I have used the internet for my Student Directed Inquiry, not just for promotion of my own business, but to research into the world of fashion. I have been able to source free advice on pattern making; business; designers; and fashion events. This has allowed me to extend my knowledge of creating and construction of garments, whilst giving me skills to take on board in my future.

I enjoyed the challenge of making garments from start to finish independently this year. It makes me proud to wear something that I have made myself, for myself.

There appears to be a significant retail shift in the last few years from in-store shopping to online shopping. Australians spent $24.3 billion purchasing items online between March 2012 and March 2013. The top purchases online include items such as travel; entertainment and leisure; electronics; fashion; and food and beverages.

For me as a young designer, launching a business online has offered me amazing opportunities. Not only can I see the fashion runways at my fingertips and get inspiration for new designs, but I can market myself online using social media platforms and sell to a growing market of online consumers.

 

 

I want to thank you all for your support and involvement for me over this year… I hope you have enjoyed!

I am going to take a social media break for a little while, but watch this space for more to come in the future.

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Online Presence

Technology has significantly changed our world.

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With 82.3% of Australia’s population online as of 2012, and 67% of this group regularly using social media platforms, it amazed me whilst doing my research to find that only 27% of small businesses have a social media presence according to the Yellow Social Media Report, June 2012. Only 15% of this group are connecting with customers or fans via business pages on Facebook.

 

For businesses, a social media presence builds community, creates an easy way to get your message out instantly, encourages loyalty, and it makes your name rank higher in an online Google search. It costs nothing, but time.

 

An online presence for businesses is a powerful marketing and communicating tool globally, 24/7. It is cost efficient and almost a requirement to be successful in this modern era.

I wondered how important it is for businesses to have an online presence.

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My brother gave a seminar to 150 Business partners and CEOs in Melbourne recently, recommending that they become engaged with potential clients through social media platforms. Current statistics are showing that there is up to a $1 million advantage in earnings to those who are using social media successfully, than those who are not.

 

 

Social Media platforms are created by and owned by someone else. Therefore it is very important to have my own website and links back to my website from Facebook and Pinterest.

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My Written Presentation

On the 26th of September I handed in my written component of work for my Student Directed Inquiry.

This was then passed onto each of the judges who will be sitting on my panel in a few weeks time for my oral presentation. This gives them the opportunity to read into what I have completed and researched over the year before my exam.

I wanted to present my written work professionally and carry across my clean white design with the accent of a bright pink.

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Thank you to my beautiful mother who helped me with this process as my mentor and to Kelly from Xerox for printing my booklets to my specifications.