We haven't even had a summer in 2013 yet...

But the fashion world are already thinking about spring summer 2014. It seems a tad ridiculous, but it's true! Balenciaga have their heads in the game, keeping it monochrome to reflect this dull 'summer' we are having...

In contrast to the black and white balenciaga collection, Mary Katrantzou's resort prints are the usual colourful mash up of flowers, architecture and feminine silhouettes... (There is a large void in my wardrobe awaiting the cape dress if anyone cares to donate it)

It's all about the men these days..

Menswear has become the most exciting sector of the fashion world these last few years. The modern man is becoming more daring, more experimental with the way they dress: colour, print, even skirts! As a textile student I see more and more exciting prints and approaches to clothing construction appearing within the menswear world and it makes me question whether I myself would like to be involved in this exciting time for the fashionable men of our generation. It's fair to say that Givenchy are the label to rival within the menswear world, with SIBLING, Dries Van Noten and Comme Des Garçons close runners up. This year is no different...

The prints coming from Givenchy the past few seasons have been flawless for me, and keep getting better with each new show (both womenswear and menswear) making Givenchy the label I see men wearing the most in London.

Ann Demeulemeester showcased a soft, pastel based collection trimmed with monochrome florals. Not something I'd typically like, but I love the subtle mixing of prints and how each look is colour co-ordinated.

Saint Laurent is cool as hell, to put it bluntly. I wish guys everywhere dressed like this; sharp and slick.

The Chelsea degree show...

As first years like myself finish for summer, third years are embarking on possibly the scariest time of their lives... Graduating! It's so weird to imagine third year, but judging how fast the first year has flown past then I'm guessing it will be here sooner than we know it! I went along to the degree show yesterday to have a sneak peak at what everyone had been up to for their final collections, and I found it so inspiring to see the final garments, amazing sketchbooks, look books and so much hard work paying off- after all this is what I have to aim for!

Unfortunately, pictures weren't allowed at the exhibition but here are some rather snazzy pictures stolen from fancy websites of my favourite third years...

The person that absolutely blew me away was Matt Jaques, a print designer who's final collection 'Night Terrors' resulted in these amazing printed capes (which I would gladly accept into my wardrobe)... 

Pictures sourced from http://www.mattjacques.co.uk 

He also won my own personal award of best business card (a title obviously every design student wants to win.)

A lady called Jen Cheema also really stood out for me at the show. Her work was the polar opposite to Matt's, colourful, sparkly and fun, focusing on embellishment and accessories.

Poppy-Rae Beckwith, a stitch student, created a series of amazing pleated, colourful pieces which must have taken a very long time (I'm too impatient for that), and had the potential to become amazing jewellery pieces or, as the lady herself displayed them, as beautiful embellishments for simple dresses.

And here are some sneak peaks into the exhibition catalogue, which doesn't really do the show justice at all!

I'm excited to get going again!

Common Ground part two

My designs for my final visualisation came from experimenting with cutting up old and new architecture from southbank and turning them into these new, crazy totem-poles that could come up from the ground and be free standing or painted onto walls to create a busy pattern.

Common Ground

Common Ground was a project based around design for exterior and interior spaces, challenging us to pick a space and ultimately design something to put back into it which re vamped our chosen area. I chose southbank - my favourite place in the UK - and began researching its history. How did it become such a cultural, eclectic Mecca for tourists, foodies and art lovers alongside music and theatre addicts? I discovered the wonderful 'festival of britain', held on southbank in 1951 to inspire people after the war. I fell in love with it, and started focusing on this amazing festival. I visited southbanks sister site, battersea park, home to the festival pleasure gardens. 

This is what it looks like now, a typical beautiful park...

But I wish I could have visited in 1951!

Fashion show

A few cheeky shots of rehearsals and our final garment for Alchemy!

Jacket made my Jess, accessories by me and skirt by Alix.

No more black!

So this week I embark on a new project, and the sunshine has had an undeniable effect on my mood and also the things I've been interested in. I've decided to focus on the southbank for my new project, I love all the colour and quirk. Feeling inspired.

The Light Show

A recent walk up the south bank inspired an impromptu decision to go to the Hayward gallery to see the light show... And I'm so glad i went, is amazing, and only £9 for students, it's so worth it! (The exhibition is HUGE!)

With works by Olafur Eliasson and David Batchelor just to name a couple, the exhibition is a display of how magical and wonderful something we take for granted everyday can be- the simple lightbulb can be a wonderful tool! It's hard to pick a favourite from the show, but here are some sneaky photographs I took of a few of the best!

Alchemy

So, Easter break is upon us- a month without work! (Almost)
This past project has been a real eye opener, I finally feel like I'm getting to grips with university and getting into a the flow of things again. Making pieces for fashion and working with two of my closest friends has been perfect for me, and now I can't wait to get stuck into the fashion show and the next project!

The last day of excitement!

NYC, London, Milan and Paris, all done and dusted after today! Crazy! It's been a good few weeks, avidly checking every website going to keep updated with the action, even experiencing the buzz of LFW myself with a few strolls through Somerset House. My highlights for aw14 have definitely been Thom Browne, Marc Jacobs, Meadham Kirchhoff, Fyodor Golan, Kenzo and Louis Vuitton. I guess the main thing to say for next years winter trend is start investing in some strong prints and embellishment! Being a textile designer in 2013 is very exciting, and its amazing to see so many designers really embracing the magic of printing, knitting, weaving and embellishing, they key focus' of so many a textile designer, like myself! Onto the next fashion week!