#wednesdayupdate

This week started off with draping on the stand which helps to define the overall silhouette of the collection.

I have so many fabric and detail ideas but the silhouette gives structure to the collection.

There is a fine line between keeping to a strong statement shape and becoming repetitive. The details and texture help to prevent this. A good example of this is Chanel's SS10 Couture collection. Every look had the same shape but the colour and fabrication differenciated each look.

I always design dresses and skirts but the only way for a designer (or anyone) to develop is to try new things. So, I am focusing on the shirt. This demands preciseness. It also presents the infinite possibilities of collar, cuff and sleeve shapes.

I already have a few designs I definitely want to do so I will start drafting the patterns and making the toiles (mock-up of the design in calico).

I love the process of going from 2D (sketching) to 3D (finished garment). It's the start of the collection coming to life.

Designs can look different on the mannequin than on paper so details can be scaled up or down too.

I took a well earned break last week and normal blog duties will now resume. During that time I decided to add a new feature to the schedule. Along with Monday’s ‘Personal Style Icon’, the Friday Song and the Sunday movie, I am introducing Wednesday’s ‘Weekly Update’.

To explain

I have set myself a challenge to design a collection and then make a selection of the designs by September 8th; the first day of New York Fashion Week.It is quite a tight deadline when I break it down (plus having a full time job means it will be mainly done in the evenings and on weekends) but I just have to stay organised. I will document the process from start to finish and update you every Wednesday.

SS12 Research

The main thing that sparked my research was the sequel to Tron.The futuristic aesthetic reawakened my love of astronomy which had lain dormant for a while. I timed this well as the last mission of Space Shuttle Discovery was to launch and BBC’s ‘Wonders of the Universe’ premiered. Then this week I finally saw Duncan Jones’ Moon which brought a whole new dimension to my research.These themes are a good departure from my usual inspirations and it’s good to take a risk sometimes.In the coming weeks my blog posts will a good indication to where my ideas are heading.I hope to start doing preliminary designs in the next week.