FINAL LINE UP

BESTDAYS_ TWO PIECES

BESTDAYS_ TWO PIECES

Having worked at the best days warehouse for a little while now, the resources and ideas (naturally) began to wear a little thin. It wasn't that there wasn't the clothes and materials to use, it was knowing what to do with them, and any ideas I had had to then translate and be made from the materials I had. There was only so much that could be made from a denim shirt. A really simple idea I had, which began to use up the unwanted, really large shirts, was to create two pieces from them. These were a simple set to make, only having to make a simple pattern for the skirt, so the shape was consistent. I would cut across the middle of the shirt to create a cropped shirt, and then using the remainder of the shirt, I would taper it in and hem the top to create the skirt. A really quick production, it would take me about 30 minutes to produce a set, meaning I could get 6-7 done in one day. The only downside to this was that I had to source shirts that were long enough to create a shirt and a skirt, luckily these weren't in any danger of disappearing. 

The 2 pieces appeared to be a big hit, with sets selling instantly. Because the store is small, there was no need to be constantly making them, as the demand wasn't as great as a bigger shop, but it was still encouraging to know people wanted to buy and wear garments I had customised and created.

ILLUSTRATOR_

USING ILLUSTRATOR_

I had had brief experience with using illustrator before the dedicated sessions within the course. I knew the basic tools, which did help me when it came to using illustrator a lot. Within the sessions, I feel I picked up the processes relatively quickly. The step by step guides for each new process were incredibly helpful, going through every detail needed to achieve a specific look. I really enjoyed illustrator, and felt the actual programme was a lot easier to use than photoshop. At first, I found it difficult to get the garment shape similar/exact to the original drawing and developed idea, however with plenty of practice I was able to get more of a hang of it. Having the sessions were so valuable, especially before I did my final lineup so I got the experience and was able to perfect simple garments (vests, t-shirts, shirts, shirts, trousers etc). The problem I had with illustrator is that I would rush the garments, almost feeling like I had a time limit. I would develop by spending more time, really taking care of the shape, and adding as much detail and stitches to make the flats as informative as possible. Another area I need to develop on would be when I insert print and colour. I haven't quite got the hang of being able to completely fill the garment, some areas would not be complete shapes so the colour would not fill that part. I would need to make sure that I  create complete shapes within the garments to suggest the different sections, so that the colour would take to it and it would be a complete garment in colour.

I was really pleased with my approach to illustrator. It was a really valuable experience and the classes made portfolio work a lot easier to tackle.

GH LEATHERS_ USING LEATHER IN WORK

GH LEATHERS_ USING LEATHER IN WORK

There is often a lot of debate within the fashion industry about whether its ‘right’ to use fur or leather. Animal welfare, as it should be, is becoming increasingly known about, and ways in which people go about acquiring the leather products isn't always as harmless as people may think. 

I do use leather in my work, as do I wear it. But I do have my conditions. The furs and leathers must come from a reliable source, and be a bi product of the meat industry. It seems a lot of people aren't aware of where leather products come from, and assume that just because they don't wear animal products (usually fur) it makes it ok. Yet will still continue to wear leather shoes because they ‘last longer’ and will consume meat in almost every meal. Something doesn't add up there. 

GH Leathers is a leather source I really value. Not only are they great partners with my university, they also source the animal products from reliable sources, only buying from the meat industry. This means that its is a bi product of the meat (which will be used regardless), the animals aren't bred purely for their skin. This way of using the skin is actually better for the environment, as the skin now has a use, and will not cause unnecessary resource wastage disposing of the unwanted skin. It also then has another life, and can be appreciated through garments and being worn rather than being chucked away. And if the animals are being bred and slaughtered for their meat anyway, why not use every part of it.

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM/JIMMYS FARM

NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM/ JIMMY’S FARM_ Looking for butterflies

For my diversity project, I was incorporating the harsh boldness and masculinity of boys toys with the delicate nature and beauty of butterflies. To source more primary research to base my ideas on, I visited the natural history museum. Here it had a wonderful archive of taxidermy butterflies, situated in the darwin centre. There was a whole array of different species- diffe

rent sizes, shapes, colours, patterns- all informing my work. I especially liked the bright coloured ones, as I felt it related to the bold robot colours. Through out the museum, the butterflies where presented either in flat frames, or in a mock up of their environment. It was interesting to see how much more energy they carried by their shape- while the patterns and colours were still there, the delicacy was not translated.

To get a feel for the butterflies movement, I also visited Jimmy’s farm, who has a wonderful butterfly house full with interesting butterflies. As I went towards winter, the butterflies were feeding on fruit, so it was a great opportunity to see the real deal up close, even holding them. Some were fluttering around, and it appeared to me that although they are dainty, they are also quite clumsy, flitting from one place to the next. But I liked how their prettiness contrasted with this. I was even able to experience cocoons, as there were many hidden in the nectar trees. I was confused as to what they were at first, there were loads of caterpillar shapes hanging around. But then it clicked, and i was almost able to track down the process through different cocoons being at different stages. The process of the butterfly also related to the transformation side of my project.

IRIS APFEL

IRIS_

Iris Apfel, a wonderful style icon. In this seminar we watched a documentary about her- she is a 90 year old woman living in New York, and has collected fashion, jewellery and artefacts over her lifetime. She explained it all started when she was just a little girl, around 12 years old, and she went into a little vintage shop and wanted so badly to buy a brooch. She saved and saved until she could afford it, and that started her obsession. It suggested to me she has always been completely immersed and passionate about her individuality. 

Iris’ experiences throughout her life has shaped who she is. She is an icon, but not for fashion - but for her individuality. Her uniqueness suggests she does not follow any trend of fad, she is who she is and she likes it that way. She feels fashion today has no imagination or creativity, and is all the same. Iris is against ‘man made junk’, suggesting mass produced and fast fashions not the same and skill based fashion, and the trades are dying out.

Throughout the documentary, Iris explains the evolvement of shopping and the process of it is the most enjoyable, and always looks her best for it- dressing up as much as she can. And it is also not about the price for her, if Iris likes a $2 necklace, she has no contemplation buying it just because it is cheap. It about big, bold statements, combining pretty, expensive, kitsch, tacky, cheap together to create her individual look.

Having such a massive collection, Iris has a lot of storage space, including massive warehouses and apartments, which are full to the brim with exciting furniture, art, ornaments, clothing, jewellery and everything you can think of. Her wonderful and abstract jewellery collection has been lent to exhibitions and designers, and she donates pieces of her collection to museums, soothes can be cherished.

Iris is an influential character. She is the way she is because she liked it, not to please anyone else or care what anyone thinks. Its a wonderful example of true style, she has never aimed to be fashionable or follow a trend. In a way, Iris is an art form, who collects and has a genuine passion. She is a wonderful muse to explore, and someone who I could definitely aspire to have the same attitude about my style. 

BEST DAYS 70s INSPIRED GARMENTS_

70s INSPIRED GARMENTS_ BESTDAYS VINTAGE 

Working within the fashion industry, however small the company, is valuable experience. I would go up to the Bestdays warehouse on a Wednesday to have full pick of the vintage clothes to customise. But for this particular collection, it was a box of old 70s print curtains that caught my eye. Using my knowledge and skills gained from uni, I was able to create a simple lose fitting top pattern, that could then be translated and lengthened to become a dress pattern. The fabric was quite thick so it suited the smock shape I had given it. It was nice to see something that was unwanted and discarded from ever having another use being turned into something people could wear and cherish. I added trim to the bottom and sleeves of some of the garments, to add more appeal. Overall these were a really successful make, and didn't take long to produce, adding to the value of the company. Using social media, the garments were able to be shown off to the followers of Bestdays, which gained a good response.