The timing of the project was perfect, it was true to the real life happenings and buzz after a show at fashion week. The designers were happy to speak to us and it gave both sides a real kick as we were doing our prospective jobs. I revelled in finding out more from my designer, asking the questions I've always wanted to ask and learning more about her individual design process. The collaboration with Segue is great too, as it's a 'live' project there's a massive improvement on the excitement factor from the usual university project that gets handed in and handed back. Our work will be read by our fellow students, teachers and fashion industry in a great context, what could be better? A piece in Vogue maybe!? But, you know what I mean! Overall, it was a great opportunity that I thoroughly enjoyed.
I think to make sure next years students know that the trip is so near the FMP deadline would be a good idea (if you're not planning an extension this time). I think you have to keep the same time to go because of the atmosphere if nothing else!
14.5.08
New York On Reflection
Me and my classmates gained a first hand insight into New York as a fashion capital and had a insiders glimspe of what it would be like to be part of one of the top design schools in the world, as one of Parson's design students. Personally i was amazed and delighted by the impeccable standard of the collections we were presented with. The professionalism and thought that has gone into not only their creative process, but their impact and place as a designer within the fashion industry and awareness of the marketing process was just as impressive.
The preconception of New York fashion being polished and highly commercial was definitely reinforced to me after seeing the selection of designers in store at Barney's and Bloomingdales especially, but also after seeing the output of the graduating year at Parson's.
I learned after interviewing Lindsey, my designer, it all made sense. Students are given a rigourous training regime to back up their creative endeavours. They have to have explainations and clear plan to everything they design and take business and marketing classes to prepare them for life in the big bad fashion world. On reflection, it is no surprise that some of the biggest names in fashion have come out of this worldclass institution.
I'm so happy that I was given a designer to profile in the end, as this is part of what I do best. My interview went very well and I really felt that I had improved on the things that usually catch me out. I definitely gained more competence in talking to a designer about their work.
As far as the design process goes, I know from my own experience how inpsiration translates into a garment. Here, it was a direct and clear transition from the artist's work/architecture into a pleat here or there, the cut of a neckline or material used for a blouse. There wasn't much else added to the creative vision in terms of design ideas, but the result was clothes that were well crafted and realistically wearable with just enough quirk thrown into the mix. Their was inventiness and conceptuality but these were strictly applied to the cut and wearability of a garment; a reversable parka or five ways to wear a linen jacket. On numerous occasions I could imagine myself wearing a few of the pieces but my favorites were the Saga fur winner and her beautiful cape style hooded jacket and the Frieda inspired collection which really spoke to the entire audience.
The preconception of New York fashion being polished and highly commercial was definitely reinforced to me after seeing the selection of designers in store at Barney's and Bloomingdales especially, but also after seeing the output of the graduating year at Parson's.
I learned after interviewing Lindsey, my designer, it all made sense. Students are given a rigourous training regime to back up their creative endeavours. They have to have explainations and clear plan to everything they design and take business and marketing classes to prepare them for life in the big bad fashion world. On reflection, it is no surprise that some of the biggest names in fashion have come out of this worldclass institution.
I'm so happy that I was given a designer to profile in the end, as this is part of what I do best. My interview went very well and I really felt that I had improved on the things that usually catch me out. I definitely gained more competence in talking to a designer about their work.
As far as the design process goes, I know from my own experience how inpsiration translates into a garment. Here, it was a direct and clear transition from the artist's work/architecture into a pleat here or there, the cut of a neckline or material used for a blouse. There wasn't much else added to the creative vision in terms of design ideas, but the result was clothes that were well crafted and realistically wearable with just enough quirk thrown into the mix. Their was inventiness and conceptuality but these were strictly applied to the cut and wearability of a garment; a reversable parka or five ways to wear a linen jacket. On numerous occasions I could imagine myself wearing a few of the pieces but my favorites were the Saga fur winner and her beautiful cape style hooded jacket and the Frieda inspired collection which really spoke to the entire audience.
13.5.08
20 of London's Best Kept Secrets...
1. Beyond Retro is one of the best vintage store in London.
2. A good rummage through the rails in Spitafields market should be followed by a stroll down the fabled
3. Brick Lane, home to the trendy Truman Brewary where you'll find shops such as Junky Styling and Illustrated People.
4. The Diner in Shoreditch serves milkshakes to rival the best of America's.
5. Start a new sunny day walking through Hyde Park stopping by
6. The Serpentine Gallery which has free admission to its exhibitions, and a walk down the road brings you to
7. The V&A in South Kensington. Fascinating art and becoming more and more renowned for its great fashion exhibitions. An exhibition of sixties girl group The Supremes is on now until October. Not to be missed!
8. Topshop on Oxford Street is a must and if you like your toys
9. Legoland will make you gasp in regal Windsor.
10. The London Eye is a landmark to see even if you can’t get on it, as is
11. Walk across Millienium Bridge to the
12. Tate modern. Compare this to the classic exhibitions on at the
13. Tate Britain then if you're not too tired, spot some well known faces at the
14. The National Portrait Gallery near Trafalgar Square. Go to see a gig at the
15. Astoria, before they pull it down! Then onto
16. Astoria 2 on a Saturday for your fix of Indie Rock 'n' Roll. (Psst! I saw Jack Penate here and its a great night full of new live music from up and coming bands)
17. Chinatown is a hidden gem with lots of cheap alternative stores
18. Covent Garden is a must for the atmosphere and street theatre. Ballet too if you’re loaded!
19. Portobello Market is great for a Sunday vintage fix
20. ‘Circus’ at Bar Revue. This Soho bar once entertained The Beatles as a gentleman's club. Now it hosts a night full of flirty fashionistas. Will the person in the best outfit please but their hands up!
So there you have it, some of London's best hang outs. (Just keep them quiet please)
2. A good rummage through the rails in Spitafields market should be followed by a stroll down the fabled
3. Brick Lane, home to the trendy Truman Brewary where you'll find shops such as Junky Styling and Illustrated People.
4. The Diner in Shoreditch serves milkshakes to rival the best of America's.
5. Start a new sunny day walking through Hyde Park stopping by
6. The Serpentine Gallery which has free admission to its exhibitions, and a walk down the road brings you to
7. The V&A in South Kensington. Fascinating art and becoming more and more renowned for its great fashion exhibitions. An exhibition of sixties girl group The Supremes is on now until October. Not to be missed!
8. Topshop on Oxford Street is a must and if you like your toys
9. Legoland will make you gasp in regal Windsor.
10. The London Eye is a landmark to see even if you can’t get on it, as is
11. Walk across Millienium Bridge to the
12. Tate modern. Compare this to the classic exhibitions on at the
13. Tate Britain then if you're not too tired, spot some well known faces at the
14. The National Portrait Gallery near Trafalgar Square. Go to see a gig at the
15. Astoria, before they pull it down! Then onto
16. Astoria 2 on a Saturday for your fix of Indie Rock 'n' Roll. (Psst! I saw Jack Penate here and its a great night full of new live music from up and coming bands)
17. Chinatown is a hidden gem with lots of cheap alternative stores
18. Covent Garden is a must for the atmosphere and street theatre. Ballet too if you’re loaded!
19. Portobello Market is great for a Sunday vintage fix
20. ‘Circus’ at Bar Revue. This Soho bar once entertained The Beatles as a gentleman's club. Now it hosts a night full of flirty fashionistas. Will the person in the best outfit please but their hands up!
So there you have it, some of London's best hang outs. (Just keep them quiet please)
12.3.08
Hot Stuff
New York has much in common with London’s vibe and Aesthetic. They both innovate and challenge convention, but more so than London, New York designers love to keep close to their roots. Sportswear is an all-American legacy that never wonders far from the minds of designers such as Zac Posen, Derek Lam, Carolina Herrera and Mary Ping's work.
Posen claims that his key values are glamour and comfort, but is emphatic that comfort comes first. Nevertheless, he certainly showed his fellow designers a thing or two about tactics and perception with his shameless social meanderings early in his career, that showed his designs off to the max. His combination of Practical yet daring is a sure-fire winner for women around the globe, emitting a strong womanly vibe that leaves men (and most photographers) weak at the knees.
The two sides of American life have long been interchangeable, but while in its fashion past sportswear was a staple, New York’s modern terrain now demands the sophisticated touch from it's inhabitants. Proenza Schouler's evolution mirrors that of the duo's home city; starting out with simplistic, practical designs but maturing into a thoroughly grown-up label, producing more feminine and glamorous apparel with each collection. It seems New York is a city which pushes its Designers to keep re-invention alive, ideas strong and calls upon maturity at all times.
This is the crunch with New York: designers have to be acutely aware of just how easy it is to be over-hyped and then just sink without trace amid financial and media disapproval or disinterest, Dream Over. But, once you’re made, you’re in with the pack for life. Americans' love to be loyal, it just would be bad sportsmanship to be anything less. But although the rise is often rapid for The Next Big Thing, staying on that hard-earned pedestal becomes as perilous as falling off it. Something that rules New York fashion is its constant fuel. Its designers have to have a trick or two up their sleeves to keep the fire burning bright because everyone knows that this city is one of the harshest fashion environments to survive in. Beneath the casual, comfy veneer lies a cut-troat street-wise hard edge. Ultimately, it's the need to keep turning out red-hot collections that keeps New York super-cool.
Posen claims that his key values are glamour and comfort, but is emphatic that comfort comes first. Nevertheless, he certainly showed his fellow designers a thing or two about tactics and perception with his shameless social meanderings early in his career, that showed his designs off to the max. His combination of Practical yet daring is a sure-fire winner for women around the globe, emitting a strong womanly vibe that leaves men (and most photographers) weak at the knees.
The two sides of American life have long been interchangeable, but while in its fashion past sportswear was a staple, New York’s modern terrain now demands the sophisticated touch from it's inhabitants. Proenza Schouler's evolution mirrors that of the duo's home city; starting out with simplistic, practical designs but maturing into a thoroughly grown-up label, producing more feminine and glamorous apparel with each collection. It seems New York is a city which pushes its Designers to keep re-invention alive, ideas strong and calls upon maturity at all times.
This is the crunch with New York: designers have to be acutely aware of just how easy it is to be over-hyped and then just sink without trace amid financial and media disapproval or disinterest, Dream Over. But, once you’re made, you’re in with the pack for life. Americans' love to be loyal, it just would be bad sportsmanship to be anything less. But although the rise is often rapid for The Next Big Thing, staying on that hard-earned pedestal becomes as perilous as falling off it. Something that rules New York fashion is its constant fuel. Its designers have to have a trick or two up their sleeves to keep the fire burning bright because everyone knows that this city is one of the harshest fashion environments to survive in. Beneath the casual, comfy veneer lies a cut-troat street-wise hard edge. Ultimately, it's the need to keep turning out red-hot collections that keeps New York super-cool.
10.3.08
London Keeps Calling
London. Epicentre of revolution since the beginning of time. And revolution is what keeps ideas fresh and new. As young, opinionated designers keep pondering ‘why not?’ ‘If,’ ‘How...’ and perhaps the most important of statements that London designers are known is the very egocentric but genius, ‘I think it should be like this, so it will be’. Fearlessness and creativity fused is what permeates from the London Collections and London designers to the world, even if they show in a different country. Of the clothes that run away down the catwalks in the most famous capital in the world, none have more furore, wit or passion than the collections of Westwood, Kane, McCartney, Williamson, Miss Bartley or Master Pugh.
Design genius such as Marc Jacobs, Prada and Sonia Rykiel all have the famous English eclecticism in their work, but the difference is they have access to all the money they require to make ends meet. They would each blend in perfectly well alongside are current London design sensations. One of them even has conquered the French market as Creative Director of Louis Vuitton and last season chose to migrate for a season, to, you guessed it, London. This just goes to show while the rich make even bigger empires, we burn bigger holes in our pockets to keep up.
London is continually let down by the lack of funding it receives, so much so it had become infamous for creativity on a budget with designers living on a shoe string to maintain their ideas. Designers don’t even have a permanent area dedicated to the Catwalks each season. A building site emerges every season near to the natural History Museum in South Kensington to accommodate the catwalk. Milan, Paris and New York are taken more seriously because of their financial success and this in turn has allowed their brightest creative sparks to flourish into international superstars and caused the best British designers to flee their homeland with no other choice but to find richer pastures to flourish in.
As a creative spirit, London really comes into its own when it tenatious designers invent a new scene with outfits to represent how a whole generation feels. Look at the Swinging 60s with Mary Quant inventing carefree Mini skirts and psychedelic tights, the arrival of the seemingly anarchist Punk movement instigated by Vivienne Westwood in the 1970s, with head-to-toe leather and metal studs that screamed ‘keep off’. 2008 welcomes the development of our current innovators with third collections from Gareth Pugh and Christopher Kane. Other new comers are delighting by bringing British staples back to the fore, like Louise Goldin’s diverse knits and Danielle Scutt’s wild prints. That's the thing about us Brits, we certainly know how to cheer ourselves up.
Design genius such as Marc Jacobs, Prada and Sonia Rykiel all have the famous English eclecticism in their work, but the difference is they have access to all the money they require to make ends meet. They would each blend in perfectly well alongside are current London design sensations. One of them even has conquered the French market as Creative Director of Louis Vuitton and last season chose to migrate for a season, to, you guessed it, London. This just goes to show while the rich make even bigger empires, we burn bigger holes in our pockets to keep up.
London is continually let down by the lack of funding it receives, so much so it had become infamous for creativity on a budget with designers living on a shoe string to maintain their ideas. Designers don’t even have a permanent area dedicated to the Catwalks each season. A building site emerges every season near to the natural History Museum in South Kensington to accommodate the catwalk. Milan, Paris and New York are taken more seriously because of their financial success and this in turn has allowed their brightest creative sparks to flourish into international superstars and caused the best British designers to flee their homeland with no other choice but to find richer pastures to flourish in.
As a creative spirit, London really comes into its own when it tenatious designers invent a new scene with outfits to represent how a whole generation feels. Look at the Swinging 60s with Mary Quant inventing carefree Mini skirts and psychedelic tights, the arrival of the seemingly anarchist Punk movement instigated by Vivienne Westwood in the 1970s, with head-to-toe leather and metal studs that screamed ‘keep off’. 2008 welcomes the development of our current innovators with third collections from Gareth Pugh and Christopher Kane. Other new comers are delighting by bringing British staples back to the fore, like Louise Goldin’s diverse knits and Danielle Scutt’s wild prints. That's the thing about us Brits, we certainly know how to cheer ourselves up.
3.3.08
Whos That Girl?
Sugar and spice and all things stylish are mostly what this girl is made of. Of course she’d be covered in the delicious designs from the likes of Moschino and Yves Saint Laurent if she was lucky enough to be made the owner of a more generous bank balance than her modest one, which only just covers the essentials and is mostly poured into gathering the non-essential essentials, such as ebay bargains, charity shop and vintage shop finds and of course, Topshop gems.
She knows that her true love lies in everything new and interesting in the world, born under the star sign of Virgo the virgin, she is ruled by the communication planet, Mercury and so finds herself compelled to seek out the best and finding a way of getting the message across to the rest is of utmost importance to her. Unknowingly, this is what led her to enrol on her current Fashion Journalism course and get her paws stuck firmly into various assignments such as fashion features including trend and catwalk reports, profiles, interviews, investigative features and fashion shoots.
Her traditionalist ways means she adores the classic styles of film stars Marilyn Monroe and Katherine Hepburn, two pioneers of grace and feminine freedom in dressing, and two of her favourite style icons of all time. She also admires the quirky and slightly eccentric designs seen on the catwalks of Gaultier and Galliano, and has a keen eye for anything imaginatively flamboyant and boundary bursting.Her ambition is to be at the forefront of the fashion press, with a seat reserved for her twice a year on the front rows of the New York, Paris, London and Milan shows. She wants to be helping to share the cream of the new season’s ideas and emerging trends with the fashion-savvy and fashion-curious reader.
And so, this aspiring Fashion Journalist finds herself on her way to New York to seek out the hottest designers at Parsons School of Design. Once there she WLTM an inspiring person with a GSOS (good sense of style) who can design with an open mind and spirit, for finding out more about and reporting back to Segue magazine, which once completed will ensure a London fashion pack audience and fantastic exposure.
She also wants to take a big bite of that shiny apple and see if it tastes just as good as it looks.
She knows that her true love lies in everything new and interesting in the world, born under the star sign of Virgo the virgin, she is ruled by the communication planet, Mercury and so finds herself compelled to seek out the best and finding a way of getting the message across to the rest is of utmost importance to her. Unknowingly, this is what led her to enrol on her current Fashion Journalism course and get her paws stuck firmly into various assignments such as fashion features including trend and catwalk reports, profiles, interviews, investigative features and fashion shoots.
Her traditionalist ways means she adores the classic styles of film stars Marilyn Monroe and Katherine Hepburn, two pioneers of grace and feminine freedom in dressing, and two of her favourite style icons of all time. She also admires the quirky and slightly eccentric designs seen on the catwalks of Gaultier and Galliano, and has a keen eye for anything imaginatively flamboyant and boundary bursting.Her ambition is to be at the forefront of the fashion press, with a seat reserved for her twice a year on the front rows of the New York, Paris, London and Milan shows. She wants to be helping to share the cream of the new season’s ideas and emerging trends with the fashion-savvy and fashion-curious reader.
And so, this aspiring Fashion Journalist finds herself on her way to New York to seek out the hottest designers at Parsons School of Design. Once there she WLTM an inspiring person with a GSOS (good sense of style) who can design with an open mind and spirit, for finding out more about and reporting back to Segue magazine, which once completed will ensure a London fashion pack audience and fantastic exposure.
She also wants to take a big bite of that shiny apple and see if it tastes just as good as it looks.
Other E/P Project Members' Blogs
Please note: The below blog sites - that you can click to access - are arranged with first names in alphabetical order.
Tutorshttp://ep-project-deborahlampitt.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-robertdeniet.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-stevenfaerm.blogspot.com/
Supporthttp://ep-project-sergiosantos.blogspot.com/
NY – Studentshttp://ep-project-nikkidemoneris.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-hyunjoolee.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-janeshon.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-lindseyrussell.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-marie-christinestatz.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-melissaluning.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-nikkidemoneris.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-sylviakwan.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-wenshi.blogspot.com/
UK – Studentshttp://ep-project-amywhiting.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-danoliver.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-elizabethrogerson.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-hannahshakir.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-jenniferwiebking.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-kathrynmackonochie.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-linseybholah.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-matthambly.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-nataliemesser.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-nickyashwell.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-rosabertoli.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-sophiahunt.blogspot.com/
Tutorshttp://ep-project-deborahlampitt.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-robertdeniet.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-stevenfaerm.blogspot.com/
Supporthttp://ep-project-sergiosantos.blogspot.com/
NY – Studentshttp://ep-project-nikkidemoneris.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-hyunjoolee.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-janeshon.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-lindseyrussell.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-marie-christinestatz.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-melissaluning.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-nikkidemoneris.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-sylviakwan.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-wenshi.blogspot.com/
UK – Studentshttp://ep-project-amywhiting.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-danoliver.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-elizabethrogerson.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-hannahshakir.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-jenniferwiebking.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-kathrynmackonochie.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-linseybholah.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-matthambly.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-nataliemesser.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-nickyashwell.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-rosabertoli.blogspot.com/http://ep-project-sophiahunt.blogspot.com/
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