Raf Simons set to leave Dior

http://www.dazeddigital.com/fashion/article/27111/1/in-a-surpise-move-raf-simons-leaves-dior

Anatomy sketches

Has social media had a positive or negative effect within the fashion industry ?

In a world where the average user checks their phone 110 times on average per day (according to a study carried out by the daily mail in 2013,) technology and social media are now more relevant than ever. The fashion industry is one of the many to have really taken advantage of the huge benefits and opportunities at hand when using social media as a marketing outlet.

So let's start off with the biggest benefit of all, accessibility. Not everyone can afford a 

£13,000 Chanel suit, but does that mean that they shouldn't have access to one? With the new wave of social media and internet, anyone, anywhere can view and share anything at any time with an audience which is almost limitless. Word of mouth has had a cyber upgrade and now passes at an uncontrollable rate. Huge fashion houses can now reach out and broadcast to an audience bigger than ever, through a variety of social media outlets. Now anyone can be front row at the leading fashion houses exclusive catwalk shows, from the comfort of their own home. Demand for the product has reached an all time high as we consume fashion at a fractious rate.

It's not only big corporate fashion brands that have benefited from this media makeover. Aspiring fashionistas also have the ability to utilize this huge platform, a voice which, if projected right, will be heard. Fashion has always been as much about bubbling up as trickling down. Power to the people, the people who really know what the everyday consumer wants because they are one. Whats even more interesting is how this new generation of up and coming fashionistas has been able to turn these opportunities into a real money making, business ideas. New ways of making serious money have been generated from the use of social media. Bloggers, trend forecasters, and influencers are just the beginning of an endless list of jobs being created from social media.

Fashion brands have the ability to cater advertising to exact demographics with data collected from sites like Facebook and Instagram. Not forgetting that anyone can access anything, so consumers who the business is not trying so hard to advertise to, are still being lured in using the indirect method of temptation. It's almost cheating, companies can appeal to both audiences at the same time resulting in a mass amount of consumption. More sales mean more money which allows the craftsman to reinvest and better the craft the next time round, growing better over time. This is what consumers desire, brands to better the product every season, to suppress our consumption needs. Needs which wouldn't be so impulsive without the presence of social media.
Concluding that social media has not only affected our connection and bond with brands but how we communicate and consume. Helping the already established industry to grow whilst giving the opportunity to the up and coming, on a level playing field. The use of social media within the fashion industry has really broken boundaries, knocked down walls and unlocked keyholes within the fashion industry. Fashion is becoming a more important part of modern day lifestyle by the day, a buzz which Is only going to grow with time.

But is this always going to be such a positive effect? Demand is one thing but at this rate, there will be nothing left. Some may even go as far to ask how can anything remain original with such limitless access? But then has fashion not always been an industry of mass competition? 

Todays work shop

Street art in Nottingham

The future laboratory

Ramen

Visionaire

Here are a few extracts from Mario Testinos issue of Visionaire magazine 'man' which showcases some strikingly powerful photography/imagery.

Setup

Japanese Safari Inpsiration

Just thought I'd show you some of the things which inspired me and part of my journey towards my final pieces for my collection.

Copper jewellery making

Balmain X H&M

So we all know that the demand for any of H&M's designer collaborations are always extremely high. Usually resulting in uncontrollable queues and new methods of purchasing stock (last year for Wang you needed raffle ticket in order to enter the store and make a purchase. Lucky for me I already have first dibs on the collection, I currently work at H&M and have been given the opportunity to support Bullring with the launch of the collection. Although I won't exactly get to shop as such this is a sacrifice I am willing to make to ensure that I get all of the pics Im currently craving.

Unfortunately I understand that everyone doesn't have such an opportunity and chances are pretty high that H&M will be using the same raffle ticket system.Ideally I should find out before this information is released to the public in order to prepare for the collection launch. So I will be sure to let you guys know ASAP. For now I would recommend subscribing to the H&M newsletter as Im sure they'll be releasing information very soon.

What are you getting?

End Of Year Fashion Show-Sandwell College

Okay give me props this was  my first ever collection,Also no matter how many different formats I've tried the quality is still pretty poor :(

College Show Better Quality

I have now uploaded my end of year college show to youtube which seems to be playing at a higher quality heres the link :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRlu3dZEoaM&feature=youtu.be

The Future Laboratory

This upcoming Wednesday I will  be attending The Future Laboratorie's trend briefing in Nottingham .The briefing happens twice a year and speaks about forthcoming trends not only in fashion but in general lifestyle. From what I have heard recording is fine so ill be sure to upload some videos and speak a lot more in detail closer to and after the conference.I have included a link to The Future Laboratorie's website as theres a few videos on there you may find very interesting and explains a little more about what they do.

http://thefuturelaboratory.com/uk/

Balmain X H&M

Boiler suit, £79.99. Leather jacket, £199.99. Trainers, £99.99. Shirt, £49.99. Jeans, £199.99. Coat, £149.99. Bag, £149.99

The time is nearly upon us, H&M's latest collaboration with social medias most talked about designer  Oliver Rousting will shortly be arriving in stores. From what has been shown so far, the garments's carry Balmain's signature opulence and detail.Will they live upto the high standard they've now set? The proof is in the pudding. 

Winter warmers

So I know we are only really half way through Autumn and you may think it's way too early to be talking about Xmas.But today at work I realised the torture of the Xmas playlist had already began. I instantly knew what time it was.Time for one of my annual trips to selfridges in search of that killer winter jumper.I don't know what it is about kenzo but they always seem to get the the perfect backbreaking of a sleek and stylish wear and the tackiness which everyone loathes for at Xmas.So today whilste searching through the array of of designer jumpers at selfridges I found It.The perfect Jumper.Last year I went all out a bough the glamourise glitter jumper so this year I tried to pick something a little more subtle.The dark tones of green remind me of Xmas tree branches and the detailed embroidery gives that extra special festive feel to the jumper.As always the fit is perfect and you can really feel the quality which had been woven into these jumpers.Seriously if you haven't got one there seriously a must have for this A/W season.Now let's be realistic I know the price range may seem a bit steep, usually ranging from £230-£350 (the green tiger print jumper RRP was £230 and is current season however I payed £300 for the glittery jumper which is previous season last year)so if your looking for a quick bargain they do have a outlet store at Bicester village and also online.I visited the outlet store website today and I found jumpers from as little as £80.

The beginning

I was always told that a fashion designer was not a realistic job choice.But all this really did was make it more endearing.

Mid September my course began, between the blur of assignments,field trips and sketch book entries the two years quickly came to an end, it feels as if time passed way too quick.I learned a lot of applicable skills but above all it had made one thing clear something being extremely difficult or rare does not make something unrealistic.

So here I am three weeks in at Coventry University,I know it isn't going to be easy, but my vision clearer than ever and I'm ready for whatever this journey has to throw at me.

To be fair thats kind of why I started this blog to share with the world how I feel, what I think, what I see and where I'm going and I hope you can relate and share back with me.This is for every fashion student out there just starting there path of self discovery and sometimes maybe feeling a little bit alone or confused.Its fine sometimes i feel like that too, one minute i feel as if I can conquer the world and the other I feel as if I'm already defeated.

But its all part of the process and no matter who are where you are were all in this industry together.

Clothes Show Young Designer Of The Year Competition

Okay so we was given a fortnight to submit our clothes show young designer of the year competition submission.To be very honest I'm a first year and this is my first competition entry so I really do not expect to be chosen as a finalist (to be fair i could do without the added stress of making the submission too.) One thing is for sure I'm going to be crowned first place next year.Anyway I have uploaded a copy of my submission and supporting work because I know how hard it is to enter a competition for the first time.I tried looking for examples to try and help me with layout etc when I was originally drafting my idea.However I couldn't find anything out there not even any examples of previous submissions.

Although submissions for this year are now closed I highly recommend for any aspiring fashion designer to enter next year and to get into the habit of entering open casting competitions like this!

Heres a link to the brief too incase you was interested,maybe for practice try completing this brief feel free to share your ideas:) http://www.clothesshow.com/files/young_designer_of_the_year_2015.pdf

Describe how the Tokyo fashion scene has inspired your design?

My initial inspiration came from the excessive use of layering in Tokyo’s trend and style. What  I wanted to do was incorporate aspects of tradition and authenticity into the kooky, fast paced Tokyo of today. Traditional silhouettes dating back to the days of the samurai all contained layers, armour and a way of concealing ones self. The obvious question was what are they hiding? I began by looking at what secrets Tokyo could be trying to hide, things which would be considered dishonourable or unacceptable. I came across an interesting piece from an extract of an erotic sex manual ‘Treasures Hidden In Our Pockets’ from the 1830’s-40’s.The contrast of the honourable, stern Tokyo citizen in contrast to the rebellious and cheeky youth of todays Tokyo was what I really wanted to keep key. Those who would not feel dishonoured by Japans secrets but liberated, literally wearing their hearts on their sleeves. What I quickly realised was that everything was always enchanting and fun from the puzzle boxes, to the harajuku barbie. This is something the Japanese have kept consistent throughout its history.

Explain how your design meets the need of the client?

In order to fulfil the client brief I had to get a strong understanding of who my client was. By completing core research I began to build a story for my client and the design process came pretty easily once the preparation stages were complete. I made it my main concern to create a garment that remains mythical, enchanting and avant guard yet remaining a wearable high fashion piece suitable for someone young and in the lime light.

I have created an original design which I strongly believe would make anyone attending Tokyo fashion week proud to wear and anyone not wearing it envious. This is a design which wouldn't just be something you wear but will visually communicate my research and concept. I have used rich tones and an innovative idea of creating a risqué print which still keeps a cheeky sense of humour. Yet again reinforcing the idea of fun and adventure from Japanese culture. 

Provide a brief breakdown on how you would make your design and what materials you would use including material swatches?

My first step would be to print the pattern I created onto actual fabric preferably a silk. Using a combination of the printed fabric and other samples included within my boards I would start constructing my garment using a traditional kimono style pattern. Shoulder pads would be inserted to enhance the feel of protecting or hiding. This time in the form of a manufactured silhouette.

The kimono would be lined and created from my chosen fabrics.The excess areas you can see on my illustration are  a shirt underneath the kimono but still attached using the lining so the joining method wouldn't be visible on the outside.

My next step would be to start creating the shorts which are shaped similar to culottes. I would use the same materials used in the kimono but would need to use a stronger interfacing and lining to ensure it keeps it’s cone like shape. These would be held at the waist by a pull string fitting within the waist band although this idea may need to be changed according to the weight of the shorts.