Lets make a dress

Images of my toile in progress

Being a mainly textile focused student I had never before constructed a garment and so I thought it was time. I am currently working in the print studio designing my print pattern inspired by "Cities Rebuilt" and I decided I wanted to see my fabrics translated into a garment.The fabric I am going to use in this dress all going well is a black velvet devore print. It's all a bit scary at the minute working out hems, seams, zips and figuring out sewing machines, but it is amazing and exciting learning new things and creating something 3 dimensional to show my print.

Studio View

Amazing View from the Studio, the moon looks so pretty. An inspirational work space, overlooking Belfast with the Harland and Wolff cranes in sight. 

Man Time for Movember- Belfast City Hall

Man Time
Top Left- Myself and friends attending the show. Top Right- ticket for the night.
Bottom images show the beautiful set up for the event, the live music act and in the centre one of the gift bag treats.

Both these models are rocking it in clothes from Fashion Creep -www.Facebook.com/fashioncreep
Featuring in the left image -Jacob Street vintage printed bomber jacket and custom studded cap
and on the right - custom vintage safety pin jacket and hand- knit scarf.
I really love fashion creeps styling and all there outfits in the show were quirky, vintage and unique.



After the drinks reception the show kicked off with some entertainment acts, singer/songwriters Rab Wishart and Elliot Morris. They set a lovely atmosphere in the beautiful city hall for the main attraction the fashion. The event was being sponsored by House of Fraser and Jason Shankey, all in aid of Movember. Appearing on the catwalk was House of Fraser, Guess, Clockwork Orange, Hire Class, Hanna Hats, KAM Couture -Unify, Nor Lisa, Dave Henderson-Unify and Fashion Creep. Overall the night was very enjoyable, some great garments and fashion was on display and it was all in aid of a great cause.

(Man Time-by www.oureventsni.com)

Ballgown Exhibition - V & A Museum

Love the shape and silhouette of this garment.

One of my Favourite pieces in the exhibition. I really like the way the light reflects on the knitted foil.

I loved seeing the Ballgown exhibibition in the V & A in London. It was really inspiring to see garments from the 1950s right up until today. It was amazing to see a Alexander Mc Queen garment in person and other inspiring designers such as Giles Deacon. Photography in the exhibition was not allowed, however outside the exhibition the garments were being projected on to the ceiling and so I photographed them.

Around the exhibition there was many inspiring quotes-
"A ballgown should not only flatter the wearer and demonstrate a sense of style but also illustrate an understanding of the significance of the event to which it was worn."

"best discipline for a designer is a customer with taste" (Hardy Amies)

Trip to the Smith and Gibson shirt factory in Derry

On Friday I visited the Smith and Gibson Shirt Factory in Derry. I am currently working on designing a digital print pattern for a competition being run by them. Seeing the factory was a hugely beneficial experience as I got to understand the whole process of how their shirts are put together from pattern cutting to being packaged. It made me more aware of the industry and showed me important elements that I will have to take on board and consider when designing my pattern. 

I really like the location of the factory and loved how you could see out onto the river and the city from it. Above are some images that I took in the factory.

Print Studio

These are images of some of my prints I am working on at the minute. They are inspired by my trip to Berlin. I fell in love with Berlin and became greatly interested in its history, its architecture and the way in which it has been rebuilt and restored after the war. My imagery in my prints is a mix of buildings old and new style in Berlin. Working with a variety of techniques for example Batik, hand painting, discharge and dying.

Belfast Fashion Week

Working at Belfast Fashion week.

The images on the bottom are all of Una Rodens' collection I took backstage. The gold embellished top was one of my favourite pieces out of all the shows. During Fashion week I was working front of house, arranging seating and preparing goodie bags, and also backstage dressing. I had an amazing time and thought it was a really good learning experience to see how shows run. Other designers showing, who I loved, were Nor Lisa and Rueidi Maguire.

Recycling Rag

      Rag knitting and weave samples using old clothes,ties,curtains ,etc. I like to use a mix of different textures and weights in creating my fabrics.