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.

AW15 Collection: Design Approved…

I am well back into work and life at the Whitehouse Institute of Design… The start of semester has been extremely busy, as you all might have noticed the lack of blogging!

This semester’s OFFBEAT design brief is for the up and coming Autumn/Winter 2015 Collection… It requires two full bodies (two model’s full outfits and styling) along with designing a two original prints that I will get digitally printed on fabric to make my garments.

I submitted my folio to the director and was amazed when I got it back completely signed off and approved!!! I am just about to undergo the toile and making process.

I am excited to give you a bit of a sneak peek of my design print and folio…

 

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American Girl Dolls

american_girl_logoWhilst in Los Angeles with my mum and dad we explored the Grove shopping centre next to the Farmer’s market. It was here that we found the American Girl Store. I had seen the dolls from this store in an episode of Modern Family so it enticed me to go in. The whole environment of the store was pretty incredible. If I had come here when I was little I am sure that I would have done my best to convince mum and dad to get a doll for me and asked for matching clothes.

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“At American Girl, we celebrate girls and all that they can be. That’s why we develop products and experiences that help girls to grow up in a wholesome way, while encouraging them to enjoy girlhood through fun and enchanting play.”

 

There is a hospital when you walk in the door so you can admit your doll if it is ‘sick’ or ‘injured.’ They fix the parts and treat the dolls as they need to before the dolls are discharged in good health.

There is also a salon where both the dolls and the little girls can have their hair done to match each other and the little girls can purchase matching clothes.

There is a cafe as well where you can have morning or afternoon tea and your doll gets her very own highchair.

There are two floors in this store and a large variety of dolls that can be purchased. They range from cheerleading themed to lacrosse, to the doll with the head gear braces, all with different skin and hair colours.

The large range of clothes is amazing! So many different pieces and themes and the sizes range to clothes for 12 year old girls.

Going to this store was definitely an eye opening experience of children’s dolls and accessories and just how one idea can become a craze.